Saudi Environment Minister Inaugurates 'Innovation Driven Desalination’ Conference

Saudi Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, inaugurated the activities of the second edition of the “Innovation Driven Desalination” conference.

Saudi Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, inaugurated Saturday the activities of the second edition of the “Innovation Driven Desalination” conference, organized by the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), SPA said on Sunday.
The conference is scheduled to take place from September 30 to October 3 in Jeddah with the participation of international academics, experts, and specialists.
On the sidelines of the conference’s second edition, the minister honored the winners of the Global Innovation Award in Water Desalination, in which 105 participants from over 27 countries, representing research centers, universities, entrepreneurs, and employees of companies in the global water desalination industry.
Al-Fadley congratulated the winners who have demonstrated their competence and eligibility for the award, which achieved remarkable success in its first edition. The minister noted that this aligns with the comprehensive water strategy that integrates the directions, policies, legislation, and practices in the water sector.
Moreover, he expressed his appreciation for the wise leadership's support for the water sector.
Al-Fadley emphasized the Kingdom's leading role in addressing regional and international water issues, commending the announcement by the Saudi Crown Prince regarding the establishment of the Global Water Organization based in Riyadh.
This initiative contributes to enhancing cooperation among nations and stimulating collective responses to water challenges, he said.
SWCC governor, Eng. Abdullah Al-Abdulkarim, praised the participants in the award for their contribution to the water sector's goals.
Al-Abdulkarim also said that this support aligns with efforts and initiatives that promote innovation and encourage it in the field of desalination.
He added that it reflects the commitment of the SWCC to support and promote innovation, offering a supportive role that contributes to stimulating innovative projects as part of its social responsibility.
He underlined the Kingdom’s commitment to ensuring sustainable water resources, citing in this regard the corporation’s global pioneering status in producing 11.5 million cubic meters of water daily, making it the largest producer of water worldwide.
Al-Abdulkarim also voiced the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing international cooperation to improve access to clear water resources through the collaborative efforts of states and organizations to address water woes in a holistic approach through expertise exchange, innovation, research and development.
He also highlighted the winning innovations’ benefit to humanity, underlying the SWCC's Vision to be integrated into the Kingdom’s ambitious plan to use high technology to serve humanity.
The $10 million prize, which aims to encourage innovative solutions in the desalination industry and support its applications in line with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030, focused on a wide range of environmental aspects related to the industry, including reduction of energy consumption and capital and operating costs, using modern technologies and innovation.