Riyadh: The IFAT Saudi Arabia 2026 featured dialogue sessions and panel discussions on the future of the water and waste management economy, reviewing sector developments, current trends, and strategies for sustainable growth. The sessions explored market dynamics and growth opportunities across the water and waste value chains, highlighting innovation and localization strategies to enhance competitiveness, optimize resource use, and align infrastructure investment and regulatory frameworks with sustainability goals.
According to Saudi Press Agency, participants examined the scale of regional challenges, noting that the region generates around 155 million tons of solid waste annually, a figure projected to double by 2050, alongside rising per capita waste rates and plastic leakage into oceans. Discussions also emphasized the economic potential of waste, as nearly 87% could be reused, recycled, or diverted, and the need for an estimated $23 billion in annual investments to modernize waste management systems.
The sessions concluded with solutions such as minimizing food waste and converting it into biogas or soil amendments, following standards that ensure quality and collection efficiency. Experts shared regional and international experiences, quality control practices, and strategies for building reliable food waste management systems that enhance both economic and environmental value.