Jeddah, June–July 2026
On the sidelines of the 7th Arab Water Forum and Saudi Water Week in Jeddah, the EuroMediterranean Water Forum advanced two strategic meetings that lay the groundwork for its inaugural edition in Rome at the end of September.
A dialogue with Saudi Arabia's water leadership
A meeting with H.E. Abdulaziz Alshaibani, Deputy Minister for Water at the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, provided an opportunity to explore Saudi Arabia's interest in the Rome Forum and the potential role of the Kingdom in shaping a shared Mediterranean-Arab water agenda. Discussions touched on the complementarity between the EuroMediterranean Water Forum and the World Water Forum process, and on how the two platforms can work in alignment to advance common priorities on water resilience, governance and financing in the lead-up to the UN Water Conference 2026 in Abu Dhabi and the World Water Forum 2027 in Riyadh.
Engaging the private sector: Miahona invited to Rome
A second meeting was held with Eng. Awaadh Al Otaibi, CEO of Miahona, one of the leading companies in water cycle management in the region. Miahona provides concession and management services for water collection, water treatment and wastewater utilities, operating at the intersection of public service delivery and private sector innovation. Following the meeting, Miahona has been formally invited to participate in the EuroMediterranean Water Forum in Rome - bringing an important private sector voice to a platform dedicated to cooperation, investment and solutions for the Enlarged Mediterranean.
Looking ahead
These exchanges confirm that the EuroMediterranean Water Forum is gaining momentum as a convergence point for institutional, governmental and private actors from across the Mediterranean, Arab and Gulf regions. Rome, September 2026 - the conversation is only beginning.
