The Saudi Water & Power Forum 2009 was held in Jeddah from October 11 to 14, 2009. The forum stressed that Saudi Arabia needed to improve the price and value efficiency of water production and treatment, and develop a domestic water technology industry that will contribute to national economic performance and provide employment opportunities.

“Having a strong technological capability in a domestic water industry is both a national security and economic imperative to the Kingdom,” Dr. Khalid A. Aleissa, director, Atomic Energy Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), emphasized during one of the forum sessions.

Improved water technologies are of highest priority to the Kingdom to ensure adequate water supplies for human, agricultural, and industrial use, and to support national self-reliance in water-related research and development. “It is also necessary for the Kingdom to reduce dependence on foreign technology,” he said.

Arab Water World (AWW) magazine was present at this event were bonus copies of its September and October issues were distributed to all participants.