Jeddah, December 2025 — The third edition of the Water Innovation Summit opened in Jeddah with wide international participation from more than 480 experts and speakers representing researchers, scientists and innovators from 20 countries, organized by the Saudi Water Authority under the patronage of Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region.

The summit, one of the leading global events in the water sector, coincides with the fourth edition of the Innovation-Driven Water Sustainability Conference, bringing together sector leaders, policymakers and investment bodies to discuss the future of modern technologies, promote water sustainability and showcase the latest innovations in desalination, treatment and resource management.

A Global Platform for Research and Innovation

The opening ceremony was attended by Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, and Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, both of whom affirmed the importance of innovation in building a more efficient water system and raising the readiness of water infrastructure in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

The summit aims to unite the efforts of scientists and innovators across every stage of the water cycle — from research and development to practical application — to accelerate investment in sustainable technologies and develop future water policies, positioning the Kingdom as a global hub for innovative water solutions.

Global Desalination Innovation Award Winners Announced

The summit announced the winners of the second edition of the Global Desalination Innovation Award, which received more than 540 innovative entries from various countries, including submissions from prestigious universities such as Oxford and MIT, reflecting the scale of competitiveness and the award's global standing. The awards were as follows:

  • Grand Prize: Awarded to innovator Li Nguan Sim of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, for the project "Unlocking the Power of Centrifugal Reverse Osmosis," which offers a pioneering model for improving desalination efficiency.
  • Second Prize: Awarded to innovator Sue Mecham of NALA Membranes, United States, for the project "Novel Thin-Film Composite Polysulfone Membranes for Desalination and Wastewater Reuse," which helps reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.

A Global Impact Reinforcing Sustainability

This initiative highlights the Kingdom's leading role in driving global water innovation by supporting young scientists and quality projects and providing research and competitive platforms that help develop sustainable water solutions to meet future needs.

The summit represents an important step in advancing the water sector, strengthening international partnerships and supporting advanced technical solutions that preserve natural resources and ensure their sustainability for future generations.