Global Water Organization provides collaborative solutions to water-related challenges

Eight nations facing severe water stress have signed a charter agreeing to work together with the aim of achieving global water resource sustainability and addressing escalating challenges within the sector.

 

The formation of the Global Water Organization

The Global Water Organization (GWO) was established in 2023 following an announcement by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. At the time, the state-run Saudi Press Agency stated that the kingdom had plans to position itself as a global leader in addressing the challenges facing global water supplies. It was announced that the organisation’s focus would be on facilitating collaboration between governments, business in the water sector and other organisations working to ensure sustainable supply was available to everyone.

 

The launch affirms Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening international initiatives and addressing global challenges - Saudi minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan

 

Members of the GWO would work together to share expertise and experiences, to foster innovation in technology, as well facilitating research and development all with the shared goal of ensuring equitable and sustainable water resources are available across the globe.

 

Founding members sign the GWO charter

Two years later, the founding nations of the GWO attended the organisation’s inaugural meeting which concluded with each country signing a charter to formalise their shared vision. As well as Saudi Arabia, seven other founding nations signed the charter: Kuwait, Qatar, Spain, Greece, Senegal, Pakistan, and Mauritania. Each faces water scarcity issues in their respective countries. The signing of the charter and the inaugural meeting led to a number of key messages that will guide the GWO in its work:

• Participants underscored the significance of the initiative in fostering collaborative solutions to water-related challenges.
• The importance of adopting a unified strategic vision and mission focused on water resource sustainability and promoting global progress toward practical solutions for water-related environmental and climate challenges.
• Establishing enhanced cooperation and coordination among member states to protect water resources in terms of both quantity and quality, ensuring continued water supplies for future generations.
• Strengthening partnerships with non-member countries, United Nations organisations, international financial institutions, and all relevant stakeholders to support the organisation’s objectives.
• Establishing best practices and international standards in water management while enhancing knowledge and methodological exchange between countries and initiatives working in this field.
• Supporting innovation efforts and the importance of research, encouraging innovation and development in sustainable technologies, and providing joint mechanisms and programs.
• Encouraging data collection and analysis efforts for informed decision-making, supporting the development of effective policies and flexible governance models to enable sustainable practices at various levels.
• A commitment to building national, regional, and international capacities in the water sector, alongside providing joint technical and advisory support among members, contributing to achieving sustainable development goals, and enhancing global water security.
• Address growing challenges facing the water sector by promoting social, economic, health, and environmental development to ensure equitable access to water and sanitation for all and achieve sustainable management.

 

Founded in Riyadh, helping the world

Water scarcity already affects billions of people and industries around the world and climate-related weather events look set to put more even pressure on the availability of easily accessible, quality water supplies. The GWO will have a headquarters in Riyadh, where the charter signing took place. Addressing the inaugural meeting, Saudi minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan said: “The launch of the Global Water Organization affirms Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening international initiatives and addressing global challenges through partnerships based on cooperation between countries and governments.” Prince Faisal confirmed that while Saudi Arabia was committed to supporting the GWO until 2030 through financial and logistical assistance, he welcomed other countries and private sector entities to join the GWO’s mission.

 

Transforming traditional water management

The GWO will also focus on transforming traditional water management approaches, according to Saudi minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Abdulrahman Alfadley. Speaking at the event, he said the organisation would also address the broader impacts of water on the economy, public health, food security, and supply chains, with a need to work across the water cycle, adopting innovative economic models that would encourage private sector investment.

 

A major milestone in fostering international collaboration to address global water challenges - Water and Power Development Authority, Pakistan

 

Pakistan, one of the founder members of the GWO, issued a statement through its Water and Power Development Authority stating the charter “marked a major milestone in fostering international collaboration to address global water challenges.” The statement continued: “Pakistan, along with other founding members signed the GWO charter, formally committing to the organisation’s shared vision of strengthening international cooperation on water scarcity, sustainable resource management, and climate resilience, particularly in arid and water-stressed regions.”