International Conference on Water Resources and Arid Environment

Riyadh, November 16, SPA -- On behalf of the Vice Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz; Prince Khalid Bin
Sultan Bin Abdulaziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation for
Military affairs opened here today the International Conference on
"Water Resources and Arid Environment" and the First Arab Water Forum
at King Fahd Cultural center Riyadh.

He stressed the importance of the conference which coincides with
handing-over award ceremony, which confirms the prince's interest in
water research, technology and management not only in the Kingdom
but also in the whole world.
In his speech, Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz said that we
meet today on three occasions of water demonstrating the importance
of this strategic commodity.
The prince called for taking the initiative to confront the water
piracy and deter it.
Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz pointed out that all
peoples sense the danger of terrorism and most countries have not
given attention to the possibility that terrorism changes its
strategy and targets water resources. He added one day we wake on
water terrorism that destroys desalination plants and poisons rivers,
pipelines, wells and groundwater. He called for giving paramount
importance to biological terrorism .
The prince called for a water summit similar to the
financial summit.
He called on all countries to quickly develop strategies and action
plans to mitigate the negative effects of the phenomenon of climate
change as well as the adoption of effective programs at local and
regional levels to exchange information and coordinate with
international mechanisms.
On biofuels, he called for putting an end to this absurd
playing with life potentials and to specify priorities for water use.
He proposed holding a summit to discuss and suggest alternatives, and
to take decisions and to implement them to save mankind.
In conclusion, the Prince expressed his thanks to and appreciation of
the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Vice Custodian and the
leadership for hosting effective seminars and forums that alleviate
the water crisis at present and in the future.
Then Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz honored companies and
institutions sponsoring the conference.
Later, he opened an exhibition accompanying the conference.
In a press statement, the Assistant Minister of Defense and
Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs and Honorary
President of the Arab Water Council affirmed that the Kingdom's
hosting of the three events is considered as a pride for the Kingdom
reflecting the concern of the Government of the Custodian Two Holy
Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and the Vice Custodian for water
resources and their correct management.
The prince noted that the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques has given importance to water and assigned a separate
ministry for it; and it is now working in this framework to try to
resolve the problem with the rest of the world and at the same time
to educate the people of the Kingdom on the best exploitation and use
of water.
On the proposed summit of water, he said, "I wish the
Ministers of Water and international conferences adopt this summit
and think of a solution to this shortage of water".
--SPA