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RIYADH: As the Global Water Expo comes to an end today in Riyadh, a group of core messages was highlighted during the three-day exhibition, including the critical urgency for sustainable management methods.

Both global and local participants at the expo introduced recycling technologies, as water scarcity is one of the biggest challenges for ����ֱ��.

“Wastewater is made up of water, energy, mineral and nutrient resources that can be treated, separated and safely reused across a wide range of applications — including mitigation of water scarcity. Yet, the majority of wastewater around the world is discharged into the environment — and without proper treatment, posing serious risks to both public health and natural ecosystems,” said Nicholas Burnett, head of water recycling at Enowa.

Additionally, Burnett praised ����ֱ��’s dedicated efforts in water systems and how it manages its operations.

“Forward-thinking countries can leverage modern wastewater technologies to secure water supplies, reducing pressure on freshwater sources and minimizing environmental impact — a shift that we are seeing in practice in ����ֱ��,” he said.

“In 2022, the Kingdom treated nearly 2 billion cubic meters of wastewater — 22 percent of the recycled water produced was used for agricultural crop irrigation, up from 16 percent in 2017. The aim is to reuse 25 percent of treated wastewater by the end of this year.”

Burnett told Arab News: “At Enowa, we are building a sustainable water management system that captures and reuses 100 percent of wastewater — with zero waste and no environmental discharge during treatment.”

He mentioned that in 2024, Enowa recycled 7 million liters of wastewater daily, which was all “used to support the cultivation of native plants in the NEOM Nature Reserve.”

Furthermore, Enowa is advancing its resource recovery by transforming sludge into fertilizers and exploring biogas recapture to power facilities.

“This integrated approach not only supports NEOM’s sustainability goals but also offers a scalable model for water-stressed regions worldwide,” Burnett explained.

Overall, the Global Water Expo showcased in a duration of three days water recycling solutions offered by many experts, highlighting local water systems companies while also introducing other international players in the water treatment solutions industry globally.

Through innovative treatment advancements and resource recovery systems, the Kingdom is drawing the path for other nations in the region who can address water scarcity while at the same time promoting economic growth and environmental protection.

RIYADH: Roblox has confirmed that it has complied with the requirements of the General Commission for Audiovisual Media in ����ֱ��, which include suspending voice and text chats in the game throughout the Kingdom. The move is intended to enhance digital safety for children and young users.

In a statement, the company said: “Following discussions with several government entities, including the General Commission for Audiovisual Media in ����ֱ��, we are committed to enhancing our communication and content moderation capabilities in Arabic to ensure a safer experience for players.”

Roblox noted that it will rely on advanced artificial intelligence technologies as well as specialized Arabic-speaking moderators to oversee content, while the suspension of chat features in the Kingdom will remain in place temporarily until more effective tools are developed.

“This step reflects our commitment to working closely with GCAM to build a platform that serves the needs of the gaming and creative community in the Kingdom,” the company added, “while also supporting skills development, education, and the growing creator economy.”

GCAM emphasized that these measures are part of ����ֱ��’s broader efforts to protect children and society from the negative effects of online gaming. The commission said the agreement with Roblox has resulted in providing a safer digital environment for children, teenagers, and youth in the Kingdom and the wider region, fostering positive values and preventing harmful behavioral outcomes.

It emphasized that ����ֱ�� has demonstrated its regional and global influence through Roblox’s compliance, including the blocking of inappropriate and indecent search results in the platform. Protecting young people from digital risks, GCAM added, is a top priority for the Kingdom, which continues to advance strategic plans for monitoring content, developing reporting mechanisms, and encouraging positive uses of modern technologies.

The commission pointed out that these measures reflect the Kingdom’s strong regulatory impact in removing harmful content while at the same time preserving the creative features that help young people develop skills, learn, and contribute to the growth of the creative economy. The move is part of an ongoing series of initiatives aimed at securing a safe digital environment that empowers future generations to innovate, create, and manage content effectively.

GCAM further explained that the suspension of chat features was introduced as a temporary measure until more effective tools for the moderation of Arabic digital content are finalized. It said the actions taken demonstrate ����ֱ��’s commitment to building effective partnerships with global platforms to create a digital space that aligns with Saudi and Arab culture while meeting the needs of players and creators.

The decision sparked mixed reactions among parents, with some welcoming the move and others expressing reservations.

Noor Fadel, a mother of two, said: “I have a different perspective. The game’s beauty lies in the interaction — voice, visuals, and writing. With proper parental supervision, children can learn communication, language, and writing. But I do understand this decision for the greater good.”

Mashael Al Sahli, whose daughters are in elementary school, supported the measure, saying: “Children spend long hours on these games, and suspending chats reduces risks, especially since many parents cannot monitor everything all the time.”

Haneen Said, a mother of two teenagers, considers the move a positive one, but that it should remain temporary: “I support regulation, not banning. I hope chat features will return once effective monitoring tools are in place, because our kids also need interaction and learning through these platforms.”