Date 09/12/2024

Riyadh, December 09, 2024, SPA -- The Saudi research and innovation system is rapidly advancing to develop innovative solutions to significant challenges, with water security being a top priority.
This focus is highlighted by the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority (RDIA), which is a key player in the Sustainability Innovation Week, organized alongside the Kingdom's hosting of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh from December 2 to 13, 2024.
In its designated pavilion, which tracks the journey of pioneering innovations in environmental fields, the RDIA showcases high-impact projects that have benefited from Saudi Arabia's research infrastructure, creating new horizons aligned with environmental sustainability goals.
These projects address key water-related issues in line with a vision to enhance the Kingdom's global leadership in research, development, and innovation.
The vision also includes smart cities capable of tackling the risks of floods and heavy rainfall, which pose significant challenges to cities worldwide.
In this context, the RDIA showcased innovative technologies aimed at transforming cities into bright urban centers that can effectively manage floods and heavy rains, ensuring the safety of lives and property.
These technologies include automated systems to monitor rainwater and flood drainage networks, which serve as the first line of defence against leaks that could harm valleys and environmental resources. They also integrate with traffic management systems to ensure smooth movement and safety.
Outstanding innovations have emerged to address water contamination by using local components to purify water from environmental pollutants. In this regard, the Sustainability Innovation Week pavilion highlighted a patented research project that relies on kaolin soil found between Al-Kharj and Haradh, along with natural fibers, to separate water from pollutants.
The project has proven effective in laboratory tests, and it has the potential to expand into various applications to ensure the quality and sustainability of water resources.
Researchers have been interested in sustainable solutions for sandy soil, which poses a significant challenge for agriculture due to rapid water infiltration. They developed an innovative project that uses palm fronds to create a layer beneath the soil, reducing water permeability and helping to decrease water consumption by up to 60 per cent. This material also aids in retaining soil moisture for longer periods during plant growth stages.
Water scarcity is one of the significant global environmental challenges, especially in desert areas. The RDIA showcased innovations that rely on nanotechnology to generate water from the atmosphere, making it suitable for drinking, industrial, and agricultural use.
These technologies are characterized by efficiency and low cost, making them a new resource that can enhance water security and expand green areas.
Continuing with water-related innovations, the Red Sea is home to unique coral reefs and marine life, making it an important environmental and tourism asset for the Kingdom.
The RDIA highlighted an innovative project aimed at protecting this marine environment through an autonomous vehicle equipped with artificial intelligence, capable of diving to a depth of 40 meters to measure water quality.
This technology enables continuous monitoring under various climatic conditions to ensure a suitable environment for coral reefs and marine creatures.
The projects presented by the RDIA during the Sustainability Innovation Week highlight the Kingdom's leading role in addressing environmental challenges through innovative research solutions.
This reflects the Kingdom's commitment to achieving water resource sustainability and environmental preservation, which aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030 goals and strengthens its position as a global force in research and innovation.
--SPA
00:28 Local Time 21:28 GMT
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