The seventh edition of the Water Research Community opens today at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in Riyadh, bringing together researchers, experts, and specialists from Saudi Arabia and around the world.
The event is organized by the Saudi Water Authority, represented by the Water Technologies Innovation Institute & Research Advancement (WTIIRA), in collaboration with KACST.
The initiative aims to strengthen the connection between scientific research and the needs of the water sector, while supporting the transformation of research, ideas, and innovations into practical solutions that improve water efficiency and sustainability.
Annual Economic Impact Could Reach SAR 3 Billion
Research and innovation outcomes associated with the initiative are expected to generate an annual economic impact of up to SAR 3 billion in the coming years.
The event also targets converting around 15% of submitted proposals into applied projects, publishing more than 250 scientific papers, registering 20 high-value patents, and funding more than 15 projects.
Its longer-term ambitions also include supporting the establishment of Saudi startups with a combined estimated market value exceeding SAR 300 million.
Four Key Research Areas
The seventh edition focuses on four main areas: materials science, technology integration, digital intelligence, and business models.
With the new edition underway, cumulative participation across the initiative’s editions is expected to exceed 1,900 researchers and experts, while the number of research proposals is projected to surpass 470 and the number of signed agreements to reach 46.
More Than 60 Universities and Academic Institutions
The initiative hosts experts and representatives from more than 60 local and international universities and academic institutions, including King Abdulaziz University, University of Tabuk, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, King Saud University, and the University of Manchester.
The broad academic participation supports collaboration between researchers, universities, institutions, and the water sector.
Advancing Sustainable Water Innovation
Saudi Arabia accounts for approximately 2.3% of global water-related research, while research connected to UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 — Clean Water and Sanitation — represents around 1.48% of global scientific publications.
Meanwhile, the global market for water and wastewater treatment technologies is expected to exceed SAR 1 trillion in 2026, highlighting the growing economic importance of research, innovation, and technology localization in the sector.
The Water Research Community forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to advance research and innovation, localize technologies, and develop sustainable solutions to water scarcity challenges in support of Saudi Vision 2030.
