In one of the world’s most water-scarce environments, Saudi Arabia is transforming a daunting challenge into an extraordinary achievement. With agriculture consuming nearly 70% of the Kingdom’s water supply and climate change amplifying drought risks, water security has emerged as a cornerstone of national development. In response, the National Water Strategy 2030 was launched—aligned with Vision 2030 and Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6) on clean water and sanitation—placing water governance at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s transformation agenda.

To proactively confront these challenges, Saudi Arabia established a strategic partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2004, through the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA). This collaboration was built on the vision of developing a long-term, sustainable water management strategy rooted in institutional capacity building, national skills development, and the use of cutting-edge technologies. A major milestone of this partnership was the implementation of a comprehensive hydrological study, which mapped and assessed the Kingdom’s surface and groundwater resources. The resulting data laid the foundation for evidence-based policymaking and sustainable water allocation.

As this collaboration matured, efforts moved from crisis response to long-term water governance built on innovation and real-time data. A pivotal moment came in July 2021, with the launch of the Center for Water Management and Control (CWMC) and the Hydroinformatics and Training Unit (HTU), both supported by UNDP. These institutions introduced the Integrated Water Information System (IWIS), enabling data-driven decision-making and providing advanced training for Saudi water experts in resource modeling.

In March 2023, the partnership deepened with the launch of the USD 36 million Capacity Development for Integrated Water Sector Management Project. This ambitious programme aimed to translate the National Water Strategy 2030 into action by introducing governance tools, integrated planning, and legal frameworks. It also assessed unconventional water sources such as desalination, wastewater reuse, and brackish water, and focused on preparing a new generation of water professionals—including Saudi women—through the IWRM Young Talent Programme. These initiatives were paired with strategic partnerships to prepare for Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 11th World Water Forum in Riyadh in 2027, further solidifying the Kingdom’s role as a regional water governance leader.

Inclusivity and human-centered development have been hallmarks of this journey. During COP16, held in Riyadh in 2024, UNDP and MEWA co-hosted two impactful side events: the “Women in Water” webinar, which highlighted women’s leadership in water governance, and “Future-Proofing Global Freshwater Management – Educating Tomorrow’s Water Experts,” which emphasized youth capacity-building in the water sector. These initiatives reinforced Saudi Arabia’s commitment to gender equality and youth empowerment in climate resilience and sustainable development.

Saudi Arabia has shown remarkable capacity to turn scarcity into strategy. By reducing reliance on groundwater, pioneering solar-powered desalination, expanding treated wastewater reuse in agriculture and industry, and enacting policies to protect non-renewable aquifers, the Kingdom has redefined what water security means—not just as an environmental imperative, but as a development opportunity for future generations. This transformation rests on a three-pronged approach of integrated water resources management, regulatory reform, and technological innovation.

In March 2025, Saudi Arabia received global recognition when it was selected as one of only three countries worldwide to showcase its integrated water management success at the SDG6 Special Event during the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York.

This achievement is not a conclusion but the continuation of the new era of leadership. With continued support from UNDP, Saudi Arabia now chairs the Global Water Organization, is preparing to host the 11th World Water Forum in 2027, and is expanding its influence by supporting regional capacity building in integrated water resources management across Arab and African nations.

🔍 Fast Facts – Saudi Arabia’s Water Revolution

✅ World’s largest producer of desalinated water
✅ National Water Strategy 2030 aligned with SDG6
✅ USD 36M IWRM project with UNDP
✅ Host of the 11th World Water Forum in 2027
✅ Selected as an SDG6 case study country at HLPF 2025