RIO DE JANEIRO — Faisal Al-Ibrahim, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Economy and Planning, emphasized the critical importance of water access during the Ensuring Access to Water session at the G20 Ministerial Development Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro under the Brazilian presidency. In his speech, Al-Ibrahim addressed the severe impacts of water scarcity on human development, including health risks from water-borne diseases and restrictions on agriculture affecting global food security. He stressed that ensuring access to water and sanitation is not merely a policy issue but a fundamental human right, underscoring the alignment with sustainable development goals. The Minister highlighted Saudi Arabia's initiative in establishing a global water organization, announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This organization aims to serve as a global platform to coordinate efforts, apply best practices, provide financing, and direct resources towards critical water projects. It also seeks to strengthen public-private partnerships and enhance the alignment of government policies with innovative solutions to global water challenges. Al-Ibrahim called for prioritizing water-related issues in the G20 agenda, continuing the annual water dialogue initiated by Saudi Arabia during its 2020 presidency, and leveraging the Global Water Organization to ensure universal access to water.
