The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken a significant step in reinforcing its water security by transforming the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) into the newly formed Saudi Water Authority (SWA).
With newly established organizational frameworks, the SWA is poised to improve regulatory oversight, elevate service management, and drive methodological advancements in the water sector.
The Saudi Cabinet’s approval of this move aligns with the National Water Strategy and the broader objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
The SWA’s responsibilities will include developing policies, programs, and initiatives aimed at the water sector’s enhancement, and it will set the standards for licensing within its purview. Additionally, it intends to standardize technical and engineering benchmarks throughout the industry to adhere to local and sustainability criteria.
Strategic planning of the nation’s water resources is another critical role of the authority, which involves generating strategic insights to facilitate efficiency improvements within the sector.
Localization efforts are also at the forefront of the SWA’s agenda, with a focus on increasing the use of local resources in water-related activities.
Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, and also the Chairman of SWA, expressed gratitude to Saudi leadership for their support in establishing the authority. He acknowledged the significant strides already made in the water sector and the further progress anticipated through this initiative.
Al-Fadley highlighted that the decision will utilize SWCC’s wealth of expertise in research, innovation, and development to forge a robust and sustainable framework for water security, supported by cutting-edge technologies and research.
The SWA will take on strategic, regulatory, and executive roles, crafting essential regulations, developing licensing criteria, and ensuring that water-related projects meet local and sustainable guidelines. The authority will also represent Saudi Arabia in relevant international water forums and organizations, enhancing the Kingdom’s leadership in the water sector.
Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Abdulkarim, president of SWA, sees the Cabinet’s decision as an essential evolution for the sector. He cites the authority’s plans to continue setting global benchmarks, particularly in desalinated water production, and to drive forward the sector’s leadership through technological and knowledge enhancement, as well as capacity building.
Al-Abdulkarim concluded by emphasizing the SWA’s intent to amplify private sector engagement and its contribution to the Kingdom’s economy, thereby cementing Saudi Arabia’s position as a world leader in water solutions.