Saudi Arabia to Host Water Regulation Forum
The Saudi Water Authority will organize the WREX 2027 forum in January, with specialist workshops held the day before.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Middle East
Saudi Arabia will host the Water Regulation Forum WREX 2027 on January 24, organized by the Saudi Water Authority. The forum will bring together four international organizations and more than 25 regulatory bodies.
Why it matters
The event aligns with the Kingdom's continued efforts to develop its water sector under Vision 2030. It offers decision-makers and international experts a platform to exchange knowledge on water regulation.
The forum features six main sessions and involves four international organizations and more than 25 regulatory bodies. Specialist workshops are scheduled for January 23, one day before the main event.
The players
Saudi Water Authority
The Saudi Water Authority is the government body that replaced the Saline Water Conversion Corporation in May 2024 and oversees the country's water sector.
International Desalination and Reuse Association
The International Desalination and Reuse Association is a global professional organization focused on desalination and water reuse technologies and policy.
World Bank Group
The World Bank Group is an international financial institution that provides loans and technical assistance to support development projects worldwide.
The details
The forum will cover utility and service regulation models from North and South America, compliance and performance monitoring from Europe and the Pacific region, and regulatory experiences from Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The International Desalination and Reuse Association and the World Bank Group serve as strategic and knowledge partners.
Timeline
May 2024: The Saline Water Conversion Corporation was transformed into the Saudi Water Authority.
January 23, 2027: Specialist international workshops take place.
January 24, 2027: Water Regulation Forum WREX 2027 takes place.
Regional Context
Saudi Arabia's water sector reforms under Vision 2030 have included restructuring the national water institutions, as seen in the 2024 transformation of the Saline Water Conversion Corporation into the Saudi Water Authority. The Riyadh forum builds on that restructuring by bringing regulatory models from several world regions into one venue.
Travelers and industry professionals planning a visit to Riyadh around late January 2027 should note the forum dates when booking accommodation and flights. Attendees will be the primary participants, with specialist workshops scheduled the day before the main sessions.
The takeaway
The forum offers a rare chance to compare how regions across the Americas, Europe, the Pacific, and the Gulf manage water utilities and regulation. Readers following Saudi Arabia's water sector should watch for session outcomes after the January 2027 event.
What happens next
The specialist international workshops take place on January 23, 2027, followed by the main forum on January 24, 2027.
Further reading
For more on the region's destinations and travel planning, explore Middle East coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Arab News PK.
