Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to visit Riyadh on December 3-4, 2024, to attend the “One Water Summit.” Organized jointly by Saudi Arabia, France, Kazakhstan, and the World Bank, the summit seeks to advance global cooperation and foster cohesive international strategies for water resource management, as outlined in a Foreign Office statement.
During the summit, the premier will deliver a keynote address at a roundtable, emphasizing restoration, preservation, and adaptation regarding freshwater resources and wetlands. He will highlight Pakistan’s initiatives in water conservation, climate resilience, water quality improvement, biodiversity preservation, and livelihood creation.
Shehbaz will also advocate for enhanced international collaboration to address challenges such as climate-induced floods, erratic weather patterns, and heat stress impacting water resources and ecosystems. He is expected to hold bilateral meetings and engagements on the summit’s sidelines.
Progress on Saudi Investments
In a separate development, PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed satisfaction with the advancements in investment projects between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, commending the enduring friendship between the nations.
While presiding over a review meeting, the premier noted the growing bilateral cooperation across diverse sectors, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia.
The meeting provided updates on recent progress, particularly following the second Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Joint Task Force meeting in November. Officials reported that 34 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) had been signed, with seven converted into agreements valued at $560 million.
Senior officials, including Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Petroleum Minister Dr. Musaddik Malik, and Special Investment Facilitation Council Coordinator Lt. Gen. Sarfaraz Ahmed, attended the session.
