Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Joins Global Leaders at One Water Summit in Riyadh

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the One Water Summit, taking place from December 3 to 4, 2024. This summit, co-hosted by Saudi Arabia, France, Kazakhstan, and the World Bank, is part of the broader One Planet Summit initiative aimed at addressing critical global water security challenges, including deteriorating water quality and increasing scarcity.

Upon his arrival, PM Shehbaz was welcomed by Prince Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Governor of Riyadh, along with other senior officials. Accompanying him are Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.

In a message on X (formerly Twitter), PM Shehbaz described the summit as a “timely event” to deliberate on collective strategies for tackling water security challenges. He emphasized the need for urgent action to combat issues such as desertification and water pollution, stating, “Together, we aim to accelerate action to combat desertification, address water pollution, and advocate for local, regional and global action.”

During the summit, he is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at a roundtable focusing on the restoration and preservation of freshwater resources and wetlands. He will highlight Pakistan’s ongoing efforts in promoting water conservation, enhancing climate resilience, improving water quality, and conserving biodiversity. Additionally, he will underline the importance of international cooperation in managing water resources sustainably amidst climate-induced challenges.

The One Water Summit coincides with the 16th session of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, further emphasizing its significance in global environmental discussions. On the sidelines of the event, PM Shehbaz is expected to engage in bilateral meetings with various world leaders to strengthen diplomatic ties and discuss regional developments.

This visit marks PM Shehbaz’s third trip to Saudi Arabia in recent months, following his attendance at the Arab-Islamic Summit in November and participation in the Future Investment Initiative in October.