RIYADH: Preparations for the 11th World Water Forum, which will be held in 2027, officially began today in Riyadh.

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture held a ceremony attended by officials to kick off the preparations.

Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, Saudi minister of environment, water and agriculture, attended the event, as did Loic Fauchon, president of the World Water Council.

Fauchon revealed how the council and authorities in Saudi Arabia are preparing for the event and stressed the importance of tackling water scarcity.

Saudi Arabia called for international cooperation from governments and private organizations to address water challenges and mitigate the severity of water scarcity.

The Kingdom also emphasized the importance of achieving sustainable development goals by making water and sanitation services accessible for all.

A panel was set up to discuss global water priorities by a group of local and global experts, including Abdulaziz Al-Shaibani, deputy minister for water, and Wu Wenqing, chief planner at the People’s Republic of China’s ministry of water resources.

“Water security is an urgent, global crisis … half of the world faces water scarcity every year,” Al-Shaibani said.

Al-Shaibani during his speech underscored the gap between water demand and water supply and called for an urgent global effort to address this issue.

He also highlighted how rising demand for water creates financial pressure on governments, eventually affecting the economy.

“Water infrastructure is essential. Some say water needs money, but money needs water, meaning the economy needs the water as an enabler for industries.

“Of course, water is a basic human right, as well as an economic enabler,” Al-Shaibani said.

The World Water Forum is organized by the World Water Council and partners with host countries.

The international conference provides a platform for countries to display sustainable practices and promote efforts to secure the management of water resources.

RIYADH: Diriyah Co. secured a Guinness World Record for hosting the largest construction safety lesson, with 2,864 workers participating at its Wadi Safar development.

The company said in a statement that the record-breaking lesson, conducted in partnership with Al-Rashid Trading & Contracting Co., underscores its commitment to workplace safety standards.

The record was officially certified during a ceremony at the company’s headquarters on Monday, attended by Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo and representatives from Guinness World Records.

The 30-minute session, led by a single instructor, focused on the “Top Five Critical Safety Hazards in Construction,” emphasizing risk mitigation and personal accountability.

To accommodate the record attempt, a custom outdoor venue with a special stage was constructed. A gated entry-exit system ensured precise attendance tracking, adhering to Guinness guidelines.

Inzerillo said: “This new world record, in which Diriyah’s project staff gathered in Wadi Safar, one of Diriyah Company’s masterplans covering an area of over 62 sq. kilomters demonstrates our unwavering commitment to safety and our goal of ensuring everyone returns home safely to their families.”

He said that their health and safety protocols exceed industry standards to safeguard the wellbeing of all workers, contractors, and teams involved in the Diriyah development.

Diriyah Co. reports a total recordable incident rate of 0.015 for its infrastructure projects, far below global averages.

The company regularly trains staff and contractors to maintain its safety culture.

Wadi Safar, part of Diriyah’s urban expansion, features luxury homes as well as hospitality and leisure destinations.

In July 2024, a $2.13 billion contract was awarded to develop the Royal Equestrian and Polo Club, four high-end hotels (Aman, Six Senses, The Chedi, Faena), and a Greg Norman-designed 27-hole golf course.

As a Public Investment Fund-backed giga-project, Diriyah aims to house 100,000 residents, generate 178,000 jobs, attract 50 million annual visitors, and contribute $18.6 billion to Saudi GDP upon completion.

Located near Riyadh, it epitomizes the Kingdom’s transformation into a global cultural and economic hub.