The Water Crisis Summit: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Addresses Global Challenges
In a powerful speech at the One Water Summit in Riyadh, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlighted the pressing issues facing the world in the water sector. He emphasized the rising drought rates leading to crises such as a shortage of usable water, desertification, and threats to human life and societies.
The summit, attended by top officials including French President Emmanuel Macron and Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, coincided with the Kingdom hosting the 16th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman revealed that Saudi Arabia has contributed $6 billion to support 200 water-related projects in over 60 developing countries worldwide. The summit, jointly chaired by Saudi Arabia, France, and Kazakhstan, is supported by the World Bank.
The crown prince also announced that Saudi Arabia is gearing up to host the World Water Forum 2027 in collaboration with the World Water Council. He called on UN member states and international private sector organizations to join the World Water Organization that the Kingdom will establish.
At the Saudi-French Investment Forum in Riyadh, multiple memorandums of understanding and investment agreements worth billions of dollars were signed, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations. The event, held during President Macron’s state visit, aimed to align national visions for a prosperous future.
Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih welcomed French stakeholders and praised Macron as a “good friend of the Kingdom.” Macron highlighted opportunities for collaboration in clean energy, mobility, technology, culture, and artificial intelligence, emphasizing the synergy between Saudi Vision 2030 and France 2030.
The forum hosted six panels, featured 50 keynote speakers, and facilitated hundreds of bilateral meetings. French minister delegate for industry, Marc Ferracci, highlighted the forum’s importance in strengthening ties amid Saudi Arabia’s unprecedented transformation.
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