The **IDWS 2026 conference** will return to Jeddah from December 7 to 9, 2026, to address global water sustainability challenges.
The Saudi Water Authority announced that the event will take place at The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah. Consequently, this gathering aims to position Saudi Arabia at the center of international water discussions.
Water has become critical to both economic growth and national security, driving demand for global solutions. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia currently operates more than 500 water production facilities across the country. As a result, the Kingdom remains the largest producer of desalinated water globally, driving growth in the regional economy.
Water Production and Infrastructure
The total daily water production capacity in the Kingdom exceeds 16.2 million cubic meters. Specifically, the nation leads in energy-efficient desalination technologies. Furthermore, this infrastructure provides the foundation for hosting the upcoming global gathering.
Expected Growth and Participation
Organizers expect the upcoming event to grow by more than 50 percent compared to the previous year. Notably, the event will host over 10,000 participants from 140 countries, alongside 250 speakers and 150 exhibitors. In addition, the platform will bring together policymakers, utility operators, investors, researchers, and smart devices manufacturers.
This edition will place a sharp focus on the governance of water. Regulators and institutional frameworks will establish transparent, resilient policies that safeguard water resources while ensuring commercial viability. Consequently, the event reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing leadership in scalable water financing models and public-private partnerships.
Strategic Focus of the IDWS 2026 conference
This edition of the **IDWS 2026 conference** will focus on water governance, financial partnerships, and human capability development. Meanwhile, the event will feature live demonstrations, venture capital matching zones, and investor roundtables. In addition, discussions will cover cost-efficient desalination and artificial intelligence applications in asset management.
The exhibition will showcase the full economic spectrum of water innovation. Specifically, it will feature climate-resilient financial infrastructure, circular economy funding solutions, and giga-project portfolio management. Furthermore, sector-focused discussions will explore the critical role of water equity across energy, mining, manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and urban development.
Leadership and Collaboration
His Excellency Eng. Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Abdulkareem, President of the Saudi Water Authority, stated that the event strengthens the Kingdom’s position. He noted that the achievements of previous editions reflect growing global confidence in the Kingdom’s role.
“The upcoming edition represents a more ambitious phase aimed at expanding international collaboration and accelerating the transformation of innovation into practical, scalable, and sustainable solutions.”
Eng. Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Abdulkareem, President of the Saudi Water Authority
Moreover, the event will explore how predictive operations and digital twins are transforming water systems. The **IDWS 2026 conference** aims to bridge the gap between financial capital and operational execution. Consequently, professionals and organizations are invited to register for the event through its official platform.
