Prime Highlights:
- The Saudi Water Authority values water sector innovations and entrepreneurial projects at SR200 million ($53.3 million), aimed at improving water security and sustainability.
- The upcoming Water Sustainability Innovation Conference in Jeddah will host over 7,300 participants from 133 countries, featuring the prestigious Global Innovation Award.
Key Facts:
- Over 2,500 innovators from 119 countries have submitted projects focused on six critical water challenges identified by the Authority.
- The first-place winner of the Global Innovation Award will receive $100,000 and a $250,000 technical development voucher to further advance their innovation.
Background:
The Saudi Water Authority says that water sector innovations and projects in the Kingdom are worth about SR200 million ($53.3 million). These efforts, backed by local and international investors, aim to improve water security and support sustainable solutions in Saudi Arabia.
Tariq Al-Ghaffari, Vice President for Research and Promising Water Technologies at the Authority, stated that a dedicated platform has been established to help innovators turn research ideas into scalable investment opportunities. “Our entrepreneurship sector offers multiple options for innovators, including sharing patents with local and international companies, to maximize impact and competitiveness,” Al-Ghaffari explained.
The Authority has successfully partnered with over 20 local companies, transforming these collaborations into global initiatives addressing critical water challenges. “Their solutions are now being exported internationally,” he added.
From December 8 to 10, 2025, Jeddah will host the fourth edition of the Water Sustainability Innovation Conference, featuring 169 speakers and approximately 7,300 participants from 133 countries, including the United States, China, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Brazil, Italy, and several Gulf and Arab nations.
Al-Ghaffari noted that over 2,700 international participants are expected to attend in person, underscoring the growing global significance of the event. The conference is recognized as the world’s largest platform for water sector experts, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
The conference will also host the Global Innovation Award, which has attracted submissions from over 2,500 innovators across 119 countries. These projects focus on six important areas set by the Authority to address major water challenges. An international panel of six experts will choose the first-place winner, who will receive $100,000 and a $250,000 voucher to help develop their innovation through the Saudi Water Authority’s platforms.
This comprehensive effort, supporting innovation, opening global markets, and hosting the world’s largest water conference, underscores Saudi Arabia’s transformation into a hub for advanced water technologies and a key contributor to shaping the future of water sustainability both regionally and globally.
