Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region, the Saudi Water Authority (SWA) is organizing the fourth edition of the Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference (IDWS) 2025 on December 8 and for 3 days at the Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah. The event brings together leading decision makers, global experts, innovators, and entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries under the theme “Towards a More Sustainable Water Future.”

The conference will explore eight core themes: utility regulation and policy, the future of water solutions, financing innovation in water sustainability, the circular water economy, public-private partnerships, water-sector efficiency, digitalization and artificial intelligence, and the nexus of water and energy. IDWS will also feature the Global Prize for Innovation in Water (GPIW) alongside a broad program of sessions and activities connecting innovators from across the world.

A major highlight of the conference will be the GPIW awards ceremony, which recognizes and finances groundbreaking solutions that redefine how water is produced, treated, and reused.

More than 100 international and local exhibitors will showcase advanced smart-water technologies in the exhibition area, while over 20 specialized workshops will be delivered by experts from leading global institutions, including MIT, the World Bank, the GCC Secretariat, and King Abdulaziz University.

The conference will also host the second edition of “Miyahthon”, a global hackathon designed to attract top talent in technology, engineering, and entrepreneurship to develop innovative solutions that improve the full water cycle, from production to reuse. Participants will receive mentorship from sector experts, with winning teams gaining access to incubation programs and commercialization pathways, as well as a dedicated investor track linking innovators with financiers and industry partners.

As part of its capacity-building initiatives, the Water Academy will launch a series of advanced training programs in collaboration with London Business School and 15 international training institutions during IDWS. These programs aim to empower Saudi and regional talent in water management, sustainable leadership, and institutional innovation.

The conference will further host technical workshops focused on emerging technologies, modern regulatory frameworks, financing models, and sustainability strategies. A selection of research papers will also be presented, highlighting academic and applied advancements in water-resource management.

The Saudi Water Authority emphasized that IDWS represents a major step toward building an integrated national innovation ecosystem in the water sector, strengthening international cooperation, enabling research and technology exchange, and accelerating the localization of water technologies in the Kingdom to enhance operational efficiency and long-term sustainability.

IDWS 2025 aims to launch strategic partnerships and flagship initiatives through several agreements signed on the sidelines of the event, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to positioning itself as a global center for water-sector innovation and advancing sustainable solutions, scientific research, and cutting-edge technologies in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

Book Your Tickets & Passes For IDWS Conference | 8-10 December 2025, Jeddah