New york: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with broad international participation on Monday organized a ministerial dialogue session called ‘Water Diplomacy: a Bridge for Sustainable Development and Cooperation,’ held on the margins of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah opened the session with an address in which he welcomed the distinguished ministers and officials participating in the session and expressed appreciation to the UN partners. He affirmed that such meetings are intended to chart a decisive path for action and international cooperation on water issues, which are integral to international security, economic development, and global resilience.
The foreign minister underscored that water challenges are intensifying worldwide, making international cooperation and water diplomacy indispensable tools for building trust and transforming shared challenges into opportunities for collective progress. Prince Faisal pointed to the Kingdom’s experience in addressing water scarcity, highlighting its leadership in water desalination, optimizing efficiency, expanding re-use, and strengthening global cooperation in this field.
He stated that the efforts laid the foundation for establishing the Global Water Organization, headquartered in Riyadh, to promote innovation, support technology transfer, and enhance international cooperation on water. The foreign minister urged all UN Member States to join the organization. He further announced that the Kingdom will host the 11th World Water Forum in 2027, reaffirming its role and commitment to advancing global water issues through sectoral collaboration.
Prince Faisal also addressed the importance of maritime corridors, which serve as vital lifelines for the global economy by facilitating the transport of energy, food, and trade. He emphasized that the corridors face escalating threats that undermine supply chains as well as environmental and economic stability. The foreign minister stressed that safeguarding maritime routes is a collective responsibility that requires joint international action to ensure the sustainability of trade and the protection of coastal ecosystems. He underscored that protecting water resources and maritime corridors is not only an environmental concern but also a cornerstone of development, security, and global stability.
In conclusion, the foreign minister reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to its pivotal role in the region in safeguarding coasts and maritime corridors, advancing water diplomacy, and promoting innovation in ways that foster global cooperation and sustainable growth.
The session was attended by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United States of America Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Cabinet Member, and Envoy for Climate Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir; Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs and General Supervisor of the Public Diplomacy Deputyship Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi; and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations in New York City Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil.
