Riyadh: International officials and experts emphasized that strengthening drought resilience requires an integrated approach that connects water and land management, agriculture, finance, innovation, and public policy to enhance water and food security while advancing sustainable development. The remarks were made during the high-level panel discussion, 'Innovating for Tomorrow: Pathways to Sustainable Water and Land Use,' organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) as part of Saudi Water Week 2026.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the session brought together a distinguished group of international leaders and experts, including Deputy Minister for Environment at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Advisor to the President of the 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16) Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Secretary General of the Middle East Green Initiative Eng. Ibrahim Mohammed Alturki, Deputy Regional Director for the Arab States at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Zena Ali Ahmad, Regional Director for Sustainable Development at the World Bank Dr. Mesky Brhane, FAO Programme Director in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr. Nizar Haddad, and Strategic Program Director for Water, Food and Ecosystems at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) Dr. Mohsin Hafeez. The discussion was moderated by Partner at Oliver Wyman Sharad Sinha.
Participants agreed that the world is no longer approaching a drought crisis but is already experiencing its impacts, underscoring the need to shift from reactive responses to proactive preparedness through investments in sustainable land and water management and the adoption of more integrated and resilient development policies.
Dr. Faqeeha highlighted that, through its presidency of UNCCD COP16, Saudi Arabia has helped place land at the center of the global dialogue on water, climate, biodiversity, and food security. He stressed that land is not merely a passive container for water but a fundamental component of the water cycle and the sustainability of natural resources.
He further noted that the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership represents a shift toward proactive drought preparedness by expanding international cooperation, strengthening capacities, and supporting countries most vulnerable to drought, thereby reducing its economic, social, and environmental impacts.
Eng. Alturki highlighted the role of the Middle East Green Initiative in strengthening regional cooperation, advancing sustainable water management, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, and restoring degraded land. He emphasized that meaningful community engagement is one of the most important factors for ensuring the long-term success of resilience efforts.
Ahmad stressed that drought is no longer solely an environmental issue but a broader development challenge affecting all sectors. She called for integrating water security and land restoration into national development plans while increasing investment in data systems, early warning mechanisms, governance, and financing to build more resilient societies.
Dr. Hafeez underscored the importance of innovation in advancing integrated water resources management through the application of modern technologies and artificial intelligence, improving agricultural water-use efficiency, and strengthening data-driven water management systems to increase productivity and optimize the use of natural resources.
Dr. Brhane discussed the importance of strengthening economic policies and financing mechanisms to accelerate investment in the water sector. She noted that scaling up solutions requires integrated policies, incentive reforms, stronger private sector engagement, and a stable regulatory environment that supports long-term investment.
Dr. Haddad highlighted the importance of institutional integration and cross-sector collaboration, noting that Saudi Arabia's model of bringing environment, water, and agriculture under a single ministry offers an effective framework for integrated natural resource management. He also showcased national success stories in water reuse, the development of drought-tolerant crop varieties, and the implementation of nature-based solutions.
The panel concluded that building resilience to drought requires strong international partnerships, integrated policies, sustainable investment, and the active participation of local communities in designing and implementing solutions that protect natural resources and strengthen water and food security for future generations.
The session forms part of Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to strengthen international cooperation on sustainable water and land management, build on the outcomes of UNCCD COP16, and reinforce the Kingdom's role as a global partner in advancing solutions to drought and enhancing resilience worldwide.