Saudi Water Forum 2025 to spotlight partnerships, investment and innovation
Riyadh will play host to one of the region’s most important water industry gatherings this autumn, as the Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) convenes its annual forum on 2–3 November 2025 at the Four Seasons Hotel. Themed “Empowering Partnerships for a Sustainable Water Future,” the event is designed to bring together government leaders, investors, engineers, academics and technology providers to address pressing water challenges and explore new models of cooperation.
SWPC is uniquely positioned to shape long-term strategies for supply security
SWPC is a government-owned company that leads the development and tendering of the Kingdom’s largest water infrastructure projects, from desalination and wastewater treatment to transmission systems and strategic storage. All of these projects are delivered through public-private partnerships (PPPs), a model that SWPC has pioneered in the Saudi water sector and which has become a cornerstone of Vision 2030’s privatization agenda.
As the sole off-taker of all types of water across the country, SWPC is uniquely positioned to shape long-term strategies for supply security. Its role is not limited to infrastructure delivery but extends to ensuring sustainability, innovation, and investment attraction, priorities that the forum will place in the spotlight.
An agenda shaped by urgency
The SWPC Forum 2025 will provide a platform to explore how partnerships, financing mechanisms, and technology adoption can support long-term resilience
The two-day forum comes at a time when Saudi Arabia and its neighbors are navigating the twin challenges of growing demand and resource scarcity. With one of the world’s lowest natural water reserves, the Kingdom relies heavily on desalination to meet consumption needs. Climate change, population growth, and rapid urban expansion are adding further pressure on systems that are already complex and costly to operate.
Against this backdrop, the SWPC Forum 2025 will provide a platform to explore how partnerships, financing mechanisms, and technology adoption can support long-term resilience.
The first day will feature a high-level opening ceremony followed by panel discussions on water security and future challenges, best practices for off-takers in the Gulf region, and the private sector’s role in improving efficiency and reducing project costs. A keynote presentation will address how to design successful partnerships in the water sector, highlighting lessons learned from both regional and international experiences.
The second day will turn its attention to financing and innovation. Sessions will explore Islamic financing mechanisms for water projects, strategies to attract investment, and the integration of renewable energy into desalination. Keynote speeches will examine the legal frameworks governing PPPs and review SWPC’s own experience in implementing partnership models, from planning through to operation. Workshops will provide hands-on insights into contractor empowerment and workforce training through initiatives such as Sharakah and Sahaba.
More than a conference
The forum will not be limited to formal discussions. An exhibition running alongside the sessions will showcase the latest innovations in desalination, water reuse, transmission, digital monitoring, and storage. More than 40 exhibitors from over 25 countries are expected, representing both local companies and international technology providers.
Organizers anticipate the participation of more than 3,000 professionals, ranging from senior executives and government officials to engineers, consultants and academics. The exhibition space will provide opportunities for networking and business development, with a focus on forming strategic alliances and exploring investment prospects.
SWPC aims to position the Forum as not only a national platform but also a regional hub for water sector collaboration
The 2025 edition builds on the momentum of last year’s event, which drew 755 attendees, featured 31 speakers, and included nine panel sessions and workshops. Online engagement was equally strong, with the 2024 forum recording more than 500,000 website visitors, 70,000 unique visitors, and more than three million views on social media platforms.
By scaling up the program and expanding international participation, SWPC aims to position the forum as not only a national platform but also a regional hub for water sector collaboration.
Partnerships at the core
One of the strongest themes running through the program is the emphasis on partnerships — between public and private actors, between regional off-takers, and between financial institutions and developers.
Panels will examine the contribution of the private sector in reducing project costs and enhancing efficiency, while keynote speakers will discuss the role of legal and regulatory frameworks in ensuring balanced agreements. The inclusion of a session on Islamic financing reflects Saudi Arabia’s ambition to tap into alternative funding models that align with both cultural values and global investment trends.
Another focus will be the link between water and energy. With desalination consuming significant amounts of power, discussions on renewable integration will highlight the potential of solar, wind and advanced reverse osmosis technologies to lower costs and reduce emissions.
A vision aligned with national goals
The forum’s theme of sustainability reflects the alignment of SWPC’s work with Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy, attract foreign investment, and ensure long-term environmental resilience. By showcasing PPP models, innovative financing solutions, and technological advancements, the event underlines how the water sector contributes to the Kingdom’s broader development goals.
As the 2025 edition approaches, expectations are high that the forum will deliver practical outcomes in the form of new partnerships, signed memorandums of understanding, and strengthened investment commitments. For participants, it offers an opportunity to gain visibility with decision-makers, exchange expertise with peers, and explore pathways to innovation and sustainability.
Find out more about the event by clicking here.