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Saudi Saline Water Corp Governor to Asharq Al-Awsat: Accelerated Privatization Aims to Attract Investors

Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) Governor Abdullah Al Abdul Karim. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) Governor Abdullah Al Abdul Karim. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Saline Water Corp Governor to Asharq Al-Awsat: Accelerated Privatization Aims to Attract Investors

Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) Governor Abdullah Al Abdul Karim. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) Governor Abdullah Al Abdul Karim. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Adopting a privatization model for Saudi Arabia’s water sector will add to its development, attract investors, reduce costs and also help in achieving operational excellence, confirmed Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) Governor Abdullah Al Abdul Karim.

The upcoming period will witness privatization gaining traction in the Saudi water sector, Abdul Karim revealed in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat.

He added that this will attract investors and that the Kingdom is working on allocating production bundles at SWCC.

“The Supervisory Committee for Privatization of the Environment, Water, and Agriculture Sector has approved the model for privatizing the corporation by separating production assets from transportation,” said Abdul Karim, adding that the scheme was also given the green light by the Council of Ministers.

Founding the Water Transmission and Technologies Co. (WTTCO) was a key step in developing the Kingdom’s water sector and enhancing its contribution to social and economic progress, noted the governor.

WTTCO is poised to play a strategic role in raising the efficiency and reliability of services, enhancing supply security and reducing costs, Abdul Karim asserted, pointing out that the shift towards privatization is an essential part of initiatives launched to realize the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Water transmission networks in Saudi Arabia stretch over thousands of kilometers nationwide and deliver over 7.2 million cubic meters of desalinated water daily.

“Advanced and integrated water grids in the country currently cover 8,400 km and are responsible for transmitting over 7.2 million cubic meters of desalinated water daily,” said Abdul Karim, revealing that an expansion of around 2,900 km is underway.

The addition aims to serve beneficiaries and achieve the objectives of the water supply and demand plan in Saudi Arabia.

“WTTCO will also work with other partners in the sector, under ministerial supervision, to implement and achieve the goals of the national water strategy on raising the efficiency of the supply chain,” said Abdul Karim, who is also chairman of WTTCO.

Undertaking management and operation tasks at water transmission and backup and storage systems in the Kingdom, WTTCO will pursue developing new technologies and human resources.

“Operating on a commercial basis will enable WTTCO to raise the efficiency and reliability of service delivery by improving performance, boosting the effectiveness of system management and optimizing the use of assets,” noted Abdul Karim, adding that this will ensure service sustainability and enhance supply security.

WTTCO operates within an integrated system. It is closely linked to relevant authorities in the sector and enjoys a strong relationship with producers and distributors of desalinated water. This ensures the smooth flow of operations and production.

As for how privatizing the water sector will aid in achieving the national plan for transformation and economic diversification, Abdul Karim said that the process is aligned with key objectives of Vision 2030.

“The initiative to privatize SWCC is an essential part of privatization program set to achieve Kingdom Vision 2030.”

“It aims to raise the level of services, encourage private sector participation, reduce the financial burden on the state, develop the sector and raise the level of local content,” he explained.

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.