April 28, 2024

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K-water CEO Yun Seog-dae (right) and Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Korea Sami M. Alsadhan shake hands after a meeting at K-water's Hangang River Basin Management Division in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, Friday. (K-water)

Korea Water Resources, the state-run water management agency also known as K-water, had a meeting with the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Korea to discuss water concerns and request support for Saudi Arabia's bid to host the World Water Forum in 2027.

K-water announced Friday that CEO Yun Seog-dae met with Ambassador Sami M. Alsadhan at the company's office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, to discuss K-water’s advanced technologies that can assist in tackling Saudi Arabia's water challenges.

"K-water will dedicate its maximum efforts to discover effective solutions to Saudi Arabia’s water challenges," Yun said. "Partnerships in advanced water management technologies, such as digital twins, will deepen the relationship between South Korea and Saudi Arabia."

Given Saudi Arabia's heavy reliance on aquifers for water supply in its expansive desert terrain, the country encounters significant water management hurdles, including flooding. To address these issues and the impacts of climate change, Saudi Arabia is implementing strategic initiatives such as the development of the futuristic Neom city and construction of a new desalination plant.

The ambassador also encouraged the agency's participation in the upcoming Saudi Water Forum scheduled for April and sought K-water's backing for Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 11th World Water Forum in 2027.

The parties reached agreements to enhance cooperation in various areas, including the development of digital twins for water management, knowledge transfer for Saudi Arabia’s water resource monitoring system, a business agreement with Saudi Arabia's National Water Company and collaboration in publishing the "Insight Into Asia Water" report, slated for release at the 10th World Water Forum scheduled from May 18-24 in Bali, Indonesia.

Meanwhile, K-water established the Asian Water Commission in 2016, and has been wielding influence and promoting practical projects aimed at solving water problems in Asia.

By Heo Yu-jeong (yjheo@heraldcorp.com)