Saudi Arabia Marks World Water Day
Saudi Arabia joined the global celebration of World Water Day 2026, observed annually on March 22 by the United Nations to raise awareness about the importance of freshwater and promote the sustainable management of water resources.
This year’s theme focuses on the role of water and sanitation in achieving gender equality through initiatives that include awareness campaigns, consumption rationalization, and the protection of water sources, in pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal 6 to ensure access to safe water and sanitation for all by 2030.
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture noted that the Kingdom’s continuous efforts to address and support regional and international water-related issues reflect its leading role in addressing current and future water challenges and enhancing sustainable water management practices and resource conservation. These initiatives include adopting ambitious measures, such as the announcement by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to establish the Global Water Organization, headquartered in Riyadh, to unify international efforts to address water challenges worldwide. The Kingdom will also host the 11th World Water Forum next year, the largest international gathering dedicated to water issues.
The ministry also launched the “Zarqa” initiative at the beginning of last year to foster women’s awareness and engagement in preserving water resources through educational activities, volunteer opportunities, competitions for university and school students, and training programs in the water sector. In its first phase, the initiative aims to reach around five million beneficiaries across 20 universities and 450 schools. The ministry noted that about 410 youth and women participated in the initiative’s programs, alongside 610 male and female volunteers who contributed more than 47,000 volunteer hours.
Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest producer of desalinated water, reinforcing its commitment to sharing expertise and strengthening cooperation by exporting its knowledge and experience in water management and sustainability through the adoption of advanced innovations and technologies to address water scarcity.
