Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif landed in Riyadh on Tuesday for a two-day visit, scheduled to participate in the One Water Summit, taking place from December 3 to 4.

The One Water Summit: Addressing Global Water Security Challenges

The One Water Summit, which is part of the One Planet Summit initiative, was announced during the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference. This international event is being co-hosted by Saudi Arabia, France, Kazakhstan, and the World Bank. The summit’s primary focus is to confront the escalating global water crisis, including deteriorating water quality, growing water scarcity, and the increasing frequency of water-related natural disasters. It is being held in parallel with the 16th Session of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

Warm Reception by Saudi Officials

Upon arrival, PM Shehbaz was warmly welcomed by Prince Muhammad bin Abdul Rehman bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh. He was accompanied by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi. The Pakistani delegation also included Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farooq, along with officials from both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

PM Shehbaz Calls for Collective Action on Water Sustainability

In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), PM Shehbaz emphasized the importance of the summit, describing it as a “timely event” to discuss collective strategies for tackling the challenges of water security. He said, “Together, we aim to accelerate action to combat desertification, address water pollution, and advocate for local, regional, and global action. Let’s unite in our pursuit of water sustainability!”

PM’s Keynote Address and Diplomatic Engagements

During his visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at a roundtable discussion, where he will highlight Pakistan’s efforts to address water scarcity, improve climate resilience, and promote biodiversity. In addition, he will engage in bilateral meetings with international leaders to further Pakistan’s diplomatic and strategic objectives.

PM Shehbaz’s Recent Visits to Saudi Arabia

This marks PM Shehbaz Sharif’s third visit to Saudi Arabia in recent months. In November 2024, he attended the Arab-Islamic Summit, and in October, he participated in the 8th Future Investment Initiative (FII), a major forum for economic cooperation and innovation.