RIYADH: The world is facing mounting challenges in the water sector, including rising drought rates that lead to multiple crises represented by a shortage of usable water, the exacerbation of desertification, and the subsequent threat to human life and societies, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Tuesday.

He was speaking while inaugurating the One Water Summit in Riyadh in the presence of several presidents and top officials, including French President Emmanuel Macron.

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and several ministers and officials were also present.

The crown prince said the summit was being held in conjunction with the Kingdom hosting the 16th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, which aims to reduce land degradation and drought.

He said that the Kingdom had contributed $6 billion in supporting 200 water-related projects in more than 60 developing countries around the world.

The summit is being jointly chaired by Saudi Arabia, France and Kazakhstan, and supported by the World Bank.

It underscores Saudi Arabia’s pioneering international role in confronting water challenges across the world and its commitment to sustainable environmental issues.

The crown prince also confirmed that Saudi Arabia is preparing to host the World Water Forum 2027, in cooperation with the World Water Council.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, he called on UN member states and international private sector organizations to join the World Water Organization that the Kingdom will establish to develop and integrate efforts to address water challenges.

The crown prince expressed his hope that the efforts of the international community to address water challenges will contribute to achieving the goals to which all aspire.

The Saudi-French Investment Forum in Riyadh, also on Tuesday, marked an important milestone in bilateral relations, with the signing of multiple memorandums of understanding and investment agreements worth billions of dollars.

Held to coincide with the state visit of President Macron, the event brought together officials, policymakers, and business leaders from both nations, aiming to align their national visions for a prosperous future.

Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih welcomed French stakeholders in his opening remarks, emphasizing the strong ties between the two countries.

He praised Macron as a “good friend of the Kingdom, leading a strong delegation.” 

Al-Falih highlighted the enduring economic partnership, the breadth of sectors covered, and the presence of French companies in Saudi Arabia.

“Every time there is an event involving Saudi Arabia and France, there is a special magic and attraction,” he said, noting France’s early support for Riyadh’s bid to host Expo 2030.

Macron highlighted in his remarks opportunities for collaboration in clean energy, mobility, technology, culture, and artificial intelligence, noting the synergy between Saudi Vision 2030 and France 2030.

He said: “For all the French business people and investors, I want to encourage them to invest more in this country because investing here is investing in the cornerstone of the whole region.”

Tuesday’s forum hosted six panels, featured 50 keynote speakers, and facilitated hundreds of bilateral meetings.

Marc Ferracci, French minister delegate for industry, underscored the forum’s importance in strengthening ties amid Saudi Arabia’s unprecedented transformation. “The Kingdom is undergoing one of the biggest transformations in recent history,” Ferracci said.

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