By Nada Al-Tantawi, Communications Consultant

IWMI Director General Mark Smith (left) and Saudi Irrigation Organization Head and Chief Executive Officer Muhammad bin Zaid Abuhaid, sign the supplement to the Memorandum of Understanding between their organizations, during the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia. Photo: IWMI
IWMI Director General Mark Smith (left) and Saudi Irrigation Organization Head and Chief Executive Officer Muhammad bin Zaid Abuhaid, sign the supplement to the Memorandum of Understanding between their organizations, during the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia. Photo: IWMI

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the Saudi Irrigation Organization (SIO) extended cooperation on irrigation and wastewater use in the MENA region under the e-ReWater project. The Director General of IWMI, Mark Smith, signed a supplement to the existing Memorandum of Understanding between IWMI and SIO on the sidelines of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali.

The e-ReWater platform, powered by artificial intelligence and earth observation data, is made possible by a grant from Google.org. The platform will revolutionize wastewater reuse in the MENA region by using remote sensing technologies and satellite data to estimate the availability of new water resources and enhance water reuse practices. This will significantly mitigate the impact of water scarcity in the region, ultimately improving food and water security.

Accessible information will strengthen climate resilience and mitigation efforts in Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates by promoting better access to data on water reuse.

(From left to right) IWMI Director General Mark Smith (second from left) and Saudi Irrigation Organization Head and Chief Executive Officer Muhammad bin Zaid Abuhaid (third from left) pose for a photograph after signing the supplement to the Memorandum of Understanding between their organizations, during the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia. Also pictured are IWMI Deputy Director General Rachael McDonnell (first from left) and representatives from the Saudi Irrigation Organization. Photo: IWMI
(From left to right) IWMI Director General Mark Smith (second from left) and Saudi Irrigation Organization Head and Chief Executive Officer Muhammad bin Zaid Abuhaid (third from left) pose for a photograph after signing the supplement to the Memorandum of Understanding between their organizations, during the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia. Also pictured are IWMI Deputy Director General Rachael McDonnell (first from left) and representatives from the Saudi Irrigation Organization. Photo: IWMI