The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with broad international participation, organized on September 22, 2025, a High-Level Ministerial Dialogue Session on “Water Diplomacy: A Bridge for Sustainable Development and Cooperation” on the margins of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, opened the session with an address in which he welcomed the distinguished ministers and officials participating in the session and expressed appreciation to the United Nations partners. His Highness 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.
His Highness 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 reuse, and strengthening global cooperation in this field.
His Highness stated that these 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. His Highness urged all UN Member States to join the Organization. His Highness 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.
His Highness the Foreign Minister 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. Prince Faisal emphasized that these corridors face escalating threats that undermine supply chains as well as environmental and economic stability. His Highness stressed that safeguarding these maritime routes is a collective responsibility that requires joint international action to ensure the sustainability of trade and the protection of coastal ecosystems. His Highness underlined 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, His Highness 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 Her Royal Highness Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United States of America; His Excellency Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Member of the Council of Ministers, and Envoy for Climate; Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs and General Supervisor of the Public Diplomacy Deputyship; and Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations in New York.
