The Saudi Water Authority, represented by His Excellency Engineer Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Abdulkarim, has signed a cooperation agreement with the World Bank. This partnership is part of the Ministry of Finance's program for technical cooperation with the World Bank and aims to leverage the Authority’s expertise in developing the water sector and managing water resources to reduce the operational costs of water facilities. The agreement also focuses on investing in accumulated research and engineering expertise to enhance water security through knowledge transfer, experience exchange, and strategic cooperation, contributing to water sustainability goals and sharing its unique experiences with less developed countries.

Key elements of the agreement include documenting the development journey of the water sector in the Kingdom and utilising the capabilities of the Water Technology Innovation Institute and Research Advancement (WTIIRA) to undertake research projects aimed at improving industry economics and reducing long-term environmental impacts. Additionally, the Saudi Water Authority and the World Bank will collaborate to assess the demand for specialised training regionally and internationally, aiming to benefit from the Authority’s capacity to build the skills of personnel working in water facilities.

This agreement underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to achieving sustainable development goals, including “United Nations Goal Six: Clean Water and Sanitation,” by supporting research and innovation efforts to enhance the sustainability of water supplies.