SAUDI Arabia will host the Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference (IDWS) in Jeddah this December as the kingdom seeks to cement its role in global water management, the Saudi Water Authority (SWA) said.

The three-day event comes amid rising concerns about water scarcity and resource security that are spurring demand for new and sustainable water solutions, SWA said in a statement.

Saudi Arabia operates more than 500 water production facilities with a combined capacity of more than 16.2 million cu m per day, the authority said, noting the kingdom is the world’s largest producer of desalinated water and a leader in energy-efficient desalination technologies.

IDWS 2026 will emphasise implementation and commercial outcomes, pairing a conference programme with live demonstrations, venture-capital matching zones, startup pitch sessions, investor roundtables and closed-door strategic meetings aimed at accelerating project financing and delivery.

The edition, scheduled for December 7 to 9, is expected to expand by more than 50 per cent year-on-year, drawing over 10,000 participants from about 140 countries, with some 250 speakers and 150 exhibitors, the statement said.