New York, 22 September 2025 – At the United Nations Headquarters, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, convened a Ministerial High-Level Event on “Water Diplomacy: A Bridge for Sustainable Development and Cooperation.”
 

The event placed water at the center of global diplomacy, positioning it not only as an essential and valuable natural resource but as a bridge for peace, trust, and cooperation. With water scarcity and climate challenges intensifying across regions, Saudi Arabia called on the international community to advance water diplomacy as a driver of sustainability, stability, and global connectivity.
 

The opening remarks from all speakers emphasized the strategic importance of water resources and maritime corridors as lifelines for economic development, trade, and energy security. Speakers underlined that protecting these resources requires stronger international cooperation and innovative partnerships.
 

The event featured contributions from global leaders, including Mr. Alvaro Lario, President of IFAD and Chair of UN-Water; H.E. Mrs. Retno Marsudi, UN Special Envoy on Water (via video statement); and Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the IMO. A ministerial segment followed, with high-level interventions from the foreign ministers of Tajikistan, Spain, Senegal, and the Minister of Climate and the Environment of Finland, who shared national experiences and best practices in advancing water diplomacy.
 

Discussions emphasized that water diplomacy can foster mutual trust, strengthen cross-border collaboration, and unlock solutions that support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 on water and sanitation and SDG 17 on partnerships.

By leading this global dialogue at UNGA80, Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its commitment to positioning water as a catalyst for sustainable development, demonstrating how collective action and diplomacy can transform shared challenges into opportunities for cooperation.