New york: UN-Water has selected the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a global model for best practices in accelerating progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which focuses on water. The announcement was made during the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), held at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture represented the Kingdom and shared key lessons from its efforts to enhance water security and sustainability in a region with acute water scarcity. These efforts underscored the importance of political commitment, strategic planning with clear roles and measurable targets, and the use of innovation and data to improve water governance. The Kingdom also emphasized the role of private sector engagement in service provision and the importance of building robust international partnerships.

Deputy Minister for Water at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Dr. Abdulaziz AlShaibani, stated that the approach adopted led to improved efficiency, coordination, and service quality between 2017 and 2023. He noted that the Kingdom's Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) index increased from 57% to 83%, representing one of the fastest global growth rates for SDG indicator 6.5.1.

This recognition reflects the Kingdom's sustained efforts to ensure water resource sustainability and advance progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The ministry's initiatives have resulted in integrated strategies across its three sectors, improved water management efficiency, and strengthened collaboration with the private sector and international partners.

These accomplishments have positioned the Kingdom as a global benchmark for addressing water scarcity and achieving water security, in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.