RIYADH: World Water Day, which falls on March 22, is an important occasion to remind governments and people of water issues around the world, including challenges in addressing water scarcity issues, and how pivotal water is for future survival.
The head of the founding team of the Global Water Organization, Dr. Fahad Abu-Mouti, said that Saudi Arabia had always “extended its hand to many countries around the world in developing useful water projects that would help local communities address their water crises,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the GWO in September last year to create a unified global platform for addressing water scarcity issues and achieving sustainable development goals, placing water scarcity at the top of the Kingdom’s global agenda, and prioritizing it to address its challenges locally and globally.
Abu-Mouti said that the Kingdom sought to build on national, regional and international achievements in the water industry.
He hailed international efforts led by the UN to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal No. 6; the right to access to clean water and sanitation services.
He said that this important international day affirmed “that the goals of the GWO are consistent with the international agenda and global trends, as the organization aims to integrate and enhance the efforts made by governments and organizations in securing global water sustainability,” the SPA statement said.
Efforts were based on three main pillars: developing and integrating the efforts of countries and organizations to address water challenges in a comprehensive manner, through exchanging and enhancing technical expertise, innovation, research and development, establishing priority projects, and facilitating their financing to ensure the sustainability of water resources and enhance access to them for all, he said.
Governor of the Saline Water Conversion Corporation Abdullah Al-Abdulkarim said: “Our mission in the corporation goes beyond providing desalinated water, to preserving this vital resource for future generations, to achieve this goal and pave the way for a safe and sustainable water future.”
On World Water Day, the objectives of SWCC’s activities were highlighted in promoting harmony and best practices in water management, and the importance of international cooperation in unifying efforts on the issue of water.
