Saudi Environment Minister Urges Collaboration to Address Global Water Challenges
The Saudi environment minister called on scientists and researchers to work together to find practical solutions to global water challenges as he attended this year’s Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water at the UN offices in Vienna on Wednesday.
Recognition for Innovation in Water Conservation
Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli congratulated the winners of the 11th cycle of the awards, which are held under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz. Their work has contributed to the development and sustainability of water resources, with the Kingdom’s leadership supporting research and innovation in the sector.
Importance of Collaboration and Innovation
Experts should work together to find practical solutions to the world’s water challenges, said Al-Fadhli. He emphasized the need for global coordination to transfer innovations into practice, promoting integrated water resources management tailored to each country’s unique characteristics.
Commitment to Addressing Water Challenges
The Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the UN highlighted efforts to establish a global water organization in 2023, aiming to enhance collaboration between countries and organizations to address water availability challenges comprehensively. The Kingdom remains committed to addressing water-related challenges at all levels.
Global Water Crisis and the Need for Solutions
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the importance of water as a fundamental element of life, noting the increasing water scarcity and its impact on communities worldwide. Scientific solutions are crucial to alleviate the water crisis and ensure sustainable access for all.
Promoting Innovation in Water Conservation
The Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water recognizes innovative solutions to humanity’s water needs. The award encourages collaboration among researchers and institutions to overcome the challenges of providing safe drinking water globally.
Celebrating Excellence in Water Conservation
This year’s winners from 14 institutions in six countries were honored for their contributions to water conservation. Projects from China, the Czech Republic, Italy, Singapore, the UK, and the US were awarded in various categories, highlighting the diversity of innovative solutions in the water sector.
Call for Nominations for Future Awards
Individuals interested in nominating their projects for the 12th cycle of the awards can submit their entries at psipw.org before the end of December 2025. The award continues to recognize and promote excellence in water conservation and innovation on a global scale.