Saudi Water Forum (SWF)

The Saudi Water Forum (SWF) is a global gathering held in Riyadh City, In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It brings together experts, researchers, and investors in the water sector to discuss challenges and propose integrated solutions. It is organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture in collaboration with relevant entities. The first edition of the forum was launched in March 2019.

SWF aims to enhance cooperation among governmental, private, academic, and civil society sectors for knowledge and experience exchange. Additionally, it seeks to develop joint programs and ventures for effective water management, increase awareness about water conservation, and innovate sustainable water management solutions. Moreover, SWF focuses on developing and implementing water management policies and laws ensuring their enforcement and effectiveness across all sectors and levels.

It also aims to develop and implement strategies for water planning and integrated management that consider several factors, such as population growth, urbanization, and climate change, to ensure the efficient use of water resources, as well as the adoption and application of technology in water management and sustainability, along with encouraging innovation in water desalination, smart water management, and sustainable agriculture.

SWF gathers developers, investors, scientists, and researchers in the water sector, along with relevant official entities, including the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, the Saudi Water Authority, the National Water Company, the Saudi Water Partnership Company, the Saudi Irrigation Organization, the Water Transmission and Technologies Company, the Water Regulator, and the National Water Efficiency and Conservation Center "MAEE". SWF brings these entities together to offer expertise and inputs regarding regional and international trends that lead to comprehensive and integrated solutions to problems and challenges in the water sector. It also showcases successful practices and experiences in water project development that meet the Kingdom's needs. Additionally, it presents investment opportunities to develop the water sector and encourages the private, local, and international sectors to contribute to its development.

The first edition of SWF was held from March 17 to 19, 2019, under the theme "Sustainable Water for Sustainable Development".  The agenda included a ministerial session that discussed lessons learned by governments in overcoming water challenges, and two-panel discussions. The first panel discussed privatization and investment in the water sector, while the second focused on society and water. The forum's agenda included seven main sessions: the National Water Strategy 2030 and water sector sustainability, policies and legislation and their role in maintaining water sustainability, local content and localization of water technology, technologies and uses of reclaimed water, international experiences and expertise in water sustainability, supply and distribution chain systems and technologies, and promising innovations for water sector sustainability.

During the forum, four specialized workshops were held with the participation of several academics and international experts in the water sector. These workshops covered water project management, the latest designs and operations for membrane desalination plants, optimal water use, and private sector partnerships in 'water and wastewater' infrastructure projects.

SWF 2022 was held on March 6, 2022, adopting a hybrid system: in-person attendance for a limited number of participants due to COVID-19 precautions and virtual participation for the rest. The forum was held under the theme "Water Sustainability is Our Responsibility". Ten main topics were discussed and seven specialized workshops were held during the forum. Furthermore, the forum witnessed approximately sixty scientific scientific topics presented by around eighty-three local and international speakers from twenty countries, in partnership with twenty-four entities including organizations, associations, and societies.

The third edition of SWF took place from April 29 to May 1, 2024, under the theme "Water Sustainability: Our Responsibility". It included eight scientific sessions with the participation of local and international experts, covering topics such as innovation in desalination, enhancing the utilization of dam water, sector collaboration for achieving sustainability and efficiency, improving the operational efficiency and sustainability of assets, means to foster sustainability of water resources in the Kingdom, artificial intelligence and modern tools in the water industry, the reuse of reclaimed water and its role in enhancing water security and sustainable irrigation, and water transport systems and strategic storage. Additionally, nine workshops were held, and the forum featured nine discussion panels.