Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has announced the signing of a contract for the establishment of a geographical information system (GIS) dedicated to water planning.
This strategic move in water management and planning aims to develop a smart water digital platform in line with global best practices in the Saudi Arabian water sector.
Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Shaibani, the Ministry’s Undersecretary, highlighted the objective of creating intelligent digital systems for water information and risk management to enhance decision-making processes and facilitate essential water analyses. This comprehensive initiative is set to unfold through seven phases, with a projected completion date of 2026.
The initial phase will involve evaluating existing water data and digital infrastructure to lay the groundwork for subsequent stages. Following this, efforts will focus on adopting international best practices, conducting a gap analysis to identify sector-specific requirements, and devising a detailed plan for database development and system enhancement.
Al-Shaibani outlined the fifth and sixth phases slated for 2025, which will include establishing an integrated institutional water database and conducting trial operations for smart digital water systems.
The project’s conclusion in 2026 will concentrate on providing solutions and consultancy support to ensure smooth database and system operations.
The envisioned digital platform will offer advanced features such as mobile applications, satellite data processing, and geospatial analysis capabilities.
With a sophisticated dashboard, users will be able to conduct geospatial analyses and manage tasks efficiently. Additionally, the platform will integrate artificial intelligence and machine learning models to ensure adaptability and sustainability in meeting diverse user needs.
Source :Saudi Gazette
