Riyadh forum discusses sustainable water, waste strategies

The three-day exhibition, which concluded on Jan. 28, highlighted the Kingdom’s role as a regional hub for environmental and sustainability sectors. (X: @IFATSaudiArabia)
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Updated 28 January 2026
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Riyadh forum discusses sustainable water, waste strategies

RIYADH: The IFAT Saudi Arabia conference and exhibition in Riyadh featured dialogue sessions and panel discussions on the future of the water and waste management economy.

The conference reviewed sector developments, trends, and strategies for sustainable growth, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The sessions explored market dynamics and growth opportunities in the water and waste value chains, highlighting innovation and localization strategies to enhance competitiveness, optimize resource use, and align infrastructure investment and regulatory frameworks with sustainability goals.

Participants examined the scale of regional challenges, noting that the region generates about 155 million tonnes of solid waste annually, a figure projected to double by 2050, alongside rising per capita waste rates and plastic leakage into oceans.

Discussions emphasized the economic potential of waste, as nearly 87 percent could be reused, recycled, or diverted, and the need for an estimated $23 billion in annual investment to modernize waste management systems.

The sessions concluded with solutions such as reducing food waste and converting it into biogas or soil amendments, in line with standards that ensure quality and collection efficiency, the SPA reported.

Experts shared regional and international experiences, quality control practices, and strategies for building reliable food waste management systems that enhance economic and environmental value.

With more than 450 exhibitors from 35 countries and 10 national pavilions, the three-day exhibition, which concluded on Jan. 28, highlighted the Kingdom’s role as a regional hub for the environmental and sustainability sectors.


KSrelief, UN highlight key goals in 2026 humanitarian plan 

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KSrelief, UN highlight key goals in 2026 humanitarian plan 

  • Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah meets UN Yemen coordinator for aid reviews
  • German lawmakers praise KSrelief for humanitarian projects globally

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief held a briefing session at its headquarters in Riyadh on the UN’s 2026 Global Humanitarian Overview, which is a diagnosis of the support needed by communities in crisis across the world. 

The session was organized in cooperation with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. 

The session included senior officials from KSrelief and the UN, as well as representatives from Saudi government agencies and nonprofit organizations. 

The participants discussed mechanisms for preparing the 2026 Global Humanitarian Overview and highlighted key differences from previous years.

The participants also addressed the need for funding in crisis-hit areas including Yemen, Sudan, Gaza, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Afghanistan.

These measures aim to strengthen focus on critical priorities, enhance the efficiency of humanitarian responses, support localization efforts, and promote work based on humanitarian principles.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor-general of KSrelief, met with UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen Julien Harneis in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they discussed relief and humanitarian affairs, as well as updates on projects in Yemen. Harneis praised the efforts provided by the Kingdom through KSrelief to support communities in Yemen. 

Separately, Al-Rabeeah also held a meeting with Sheikh Mohammed Belal, managing director of the UN Common Fund for Commodities, to discuss relief issues. 

Belal commended Saudi Arabia for assisting those affected around the world, highlighted the center’s strong international reputation. 

Meanwhile, a delegation from Germany’s parliament, headed by Alexander Radwan, a member of the nation’s foreign affairs committee, visited KSrelief’s headquarters in Riyadh.

During the visit, the German lawmakers met with several KSrelief officials to discuss relief efforts.

The German officials praised KSrelief for planning and implementing relief projects worldwide, and highlighted the agency’s reputation globally in the field.