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Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is an incredibly water-scarce country, with an arid climate and growing water demands necessitating water management solutions. Burgeoning populations in urban areas, industrialization and expanding agriculture are at odds with minimal rainfall and a lack of water sources — Saudi Arabia has no naturally occurring freshwater bodies. Though most people have access to potable water, high consumption rates and a lack of renewable sources raise concerns for long-term sustainability of current freshwater systems. Saudi Arabia relies upon desalination of seawater, treated wastewater and groundwater to meet national demands.

IWMI in Saudi Arabia

IWMI is working to harness digital technology for Saudi Arabia’s water-secure future. Partnering with the Saudi government, IWMI has guided cooperation on irrigation and wastewater use in the MENA region, using remote sensing technologies, satellite data and AI-driven analytics to estimate the availability of diverse water resources and enhance water reuse practices.

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Youssef Brouziyne

Country Representative – Egypt & Regional Representative – MENA

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Projects in Saudi Arabia

e-ReWater MENA

Latest Saudi Arabia news

Wastewater treatment plants and farmers in Bekaa village, Lebanon. Farmers stand next to an artificial lake made for agricultural use. Photo: Lien Arits/IWMI

Blogs

In MENA water reuse holds immense potential, yet remains largely untapped

In one of the world’s most water-stressed regions, water reuse is constrained by scarce data. A gap technology is ready to close …

December 9, 2025

(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

News

IWMI and Saudi Arabia extend collaboration on irrigation and wastewater use

The e-ReWater platform will use remote sensing technologies and satellite data to estimate the availability of new water resources in partnership with the Saudi Irrigation Organization …

May 30, 2024

In the media

This new AI-powered platform will help harness water reuse in the MENA region

Powered by AI and earth observation data, the collaboration between IWMI and Google.org will use remote sensing technologies to monitor land, seas, and the atmosphere …

November 28, 2023