Ulaanbaatar: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture highlighted the anticipated role of the 11th World Water Forum, set to take place in Riyadh in March 2027, as a global platform for strengthening international action on water issues and translating knowledge, commitments, and partnerships into practical, actionable, and measurable solutions.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the ministry made the remarks during its participation in the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), held in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.
This came during a panel discussion led by the ministry's Water Agency, with the participation of a number of water-sector specialists and experts. The session addressed key global challenges related to water and land, ways to build on the international cooperation reaffirmed during COP17, and efforts to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders in water and sustainability issues.
The discussions stressed that the World Water Forum should serve not merely as a space for dialogue and exchanging views, but as a global platform for translating knowledge, commitments, and partnerships into measurable actions and outcomes. This would enhance the forum's impact, enable it to deliver results extending beyond its duration, and support international cooperation efforts to address water and land challenges.
The session discussed the importance of the forum offering a model different from conferences that merely issue declarations, focusing instead on tangible, measurable impact, linking policies with science and local practices, and supporting innovative, sustainable solutions that address the diverse needs of communities around the world.
The promotion of the 11th World Water Forum comes as part of the ministry's participation in COP17, underscoring the importance of strengthening the forum's international presence, broadening participation, and engaging various stakeholders in water-related issues, including policymakers, politicians, parliamentarians, international organizations, scientists, specialists, and local communities.
Riyadh's World Water Forum is the outcome of an ongoing consultative process that began with the first Stakeholders Consultation Meeting, hosted by Riyadh in April 2025, which saw broad participation from a diverse range of stakeholders. It was followed by the second Stakeholders Consultation Meeting, held as part of Saudi Water Week in Jeddah in June 2026, to further develop the forum's themes and expected outcomes ahead of its convening.
The ministry is continuing to promote the forum and its preparations during COP17 through informational materials and direct engagement with pavilion visitors, while encouraging international entities and stakeholders to take part. This will help enrich the forum's results, enhance its global impact, and support efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Through hosting the forum in Riyadh, the ministry seeks to establish an effective international platform that brings together diverse stakeholders around water issues and promotes practical partnerships and commitments, leading to sustainable outcomes that contribute to shaping a more water-secure and sustainable future globally.
