Saudi Arabia brings global water leaders to Riyadh

Saudi Arabia has invited over 2,200 international experts from 100 nations to Riyadh for the 21st IDRA World Congress on Desalination and Water Reuse. The congress, taking place from November 1-5, will focus on water security, desalination technology, and water reuse, with the aim of establishing these topics as key elements of international policy and investment discussions.

The event is being held for the first time in Saudi Arabia, under the patronage of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. The congress will bring together over 400 experts, policymakers, utility executives, researchers, technology developers, and investors to address the mounting pressure on water supplies due to population growth, urbanization, climate stress, and competing demands from industry and agriculture.

Saudi Arabia, known for its large-scale desalination infrastructure and growing water reuse efforts, is showcasing its progress in water sector transformation. The country has invested in desalination, water reuse, digital monitoring, renewable energy integration, and efficient treatment technologies, all of which are outlined in its National Water Strategy 2030.

The five-day congress will feature 25 scientific sessions, more than 200 technical presentations, and over 240 peer-reviewed papers across four parallel tracks. Key topics include advanced desalination, large-scale reuse, integrated water systems, and digital intelligence. The energy cost of desalination, environmental impacts, and water reuse are among the central issues being discussed.

Saudi Arabia is also emphasizing the role of digitalisation in optimizing water management and reducing losses, as well as the opportunities for project investments in desalination, pipelines, storage, wastewater treatment, pumps, smart meters, and renewable-powered water systems.