Water Minister meets Saudi, Somali counterparts to enhance water cooperation

Jeddah, Oct. 23 (BNA): Yasser bin Ibrahim Humaidan, Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs, met with Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen AlFadhley, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the sidelines of the fifth session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ministers Responsible for Water, held in Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The meeting discussed means to strengthen cooperation between the two kingdoms in managing water resources, enhancing their sustainability, and expanding the use of innovation and modern technologies in water production and distribution. The two sides also reviewed opportunities for exchanging expertise in desalination, treatment, and water reuse, and in developing water and energy infrastructure projects that support water security in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Minister Humaidan affirmed Bahrain’s commitment to further enhance cooperation with Saudi Arabia, highlighting the strong relations between the two kingdoms. He praised Saudi Arabia’s leading role in supporting joint regional efforts and initiatives aimed at achieving water sustainability.

For his part, Al Fadhely welcomed Bahrain’s participation in the meeting and expressed Saudi Arabia’s keenness to strengthen bilateral cooperation and exchange expertise in the fields of water and energy, in support of regional water security efforts.

Minister Humaidan also met with Abdullahi Bidhaan Warsame, Minister of Energy and Water Resources of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The meeting discussed means to enhance bilateral cooperation in the water sector and to exchange expertise in water resources management.

Both sides reviewed cooperation opportunities in developing water networks, improving resource efficiency, and advancing desalination and storage technologies. They also discussed means to benefit from Bahrain’s expertise in groundwater management and water quality improvement.

The two ministers agreed to form a joint technical team to study future cooperation opportunities in developing water networks, desalination, and the exchange of technical and administrative expertise, in support of sustainable water resources management.