Modernizing irrigation for Saudi sustainability

THE HAGUE, Netherlands: After giving a red carpet welcome this week to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity in Gaza, Hungary announced it would quit the court.
Should Hungary follow through with its withdrawal from the world’s only permanent global court for war crimes and genocide, it will become only the third country in the institution’s history of more than 20 years to do so. The process will take more than a year.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who gave the Israeli leader a welcome with full military honors on Thursday in defiance of the ICC arrest warrant, signed the Rome Statute, which established the court, during his first term in office.
What is the International Criminal Court?
The ICC was established in The Hague in 2002 as the court of last resort to prosecute individuals responsible for the world’s most heinous atrocities: war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression. It takes on cases when nations are unable or unwilling to prosecute crimes on their territory.
Hungary signed the Rome Statute in 1999 and ratified the treaty on Nov. 30, 2001.
The court’s newest member, Ukraine, formally joined in January, bringing the number of member states to 125. The United States, Russia, China and Israel are among nations that are not members.
Judges at the court have issued 60 arrest warrants and convicted 11 people. Last month, the court arrested former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on murder charges linked to the deadly “war on drugs” that he oversaw while in office.
What is the process for leaving the court?
The Rome Statute lays out the steps a member state needs to take if they want to withdraw from the court. The state party must inform the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the withdrawal takes effect one year after the receipt of the notification.
Announcing it will leave, however, doesn’t free Hungary from its duties under the treaty.
“There is a provision which says that your obligation to cooperate continues for the cases that were ongoing when you were still a party,” Göran Sluiter, professor of international criminal law at the University of Amsterdam, told The Associated Press. “So they still have an ongoing obligation to arrest Netanyahu,” he said.
Zsolt Semjén, Hungary’s deputy prime minister, submitted a bill to parliament to approve the withdrawal, which is expected to pass.
Just two other countries have left the court. The East African nation of Burundi left in 2017 and, in 2019, then-President Duterte withdrew the Philippines after judges allowed the investigation into his drug crackdown that killed thousands to continue.
If Hungary leaves, it will become the only country in the European Union that is not a member of the court.
Why is Netanyahu wanted by the court?
A three-judge panel issued arrest warrants in November for Netanyahu, his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas’ military chief, Mohammed Deif, accusing them of crimes against humanity in connection with the 13-month war in Gaza.
The warrants said there was reason to believe Netanyahu and Gallant have used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and intentionally targeted civilians in Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza, charges Israeli officials deny.
The warrant marked the first time a sitting leader of a major Western ally has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the global court of justice and has sparked major pushback from supporters of Israel, including the US
The ICC criticized Hungary’s decision to defy its warrant for Netanyahu, with the court’s spokesperson, Fadi El Abdallah, saying on Thursday that the court “recalls that Hungary remains under a duty to cooperate with the ICC.”
Human rights groups also have condemned the move.
“Hungary still has the opportunity to arrest Netanyahu — as unlikely as that seems, there’s still time. We expect other ICC members and particularly EU member states who are united in their commitment to the court to press Hungary hard on meeting its clear, legal obligations on arrest,” Liz Evenson, international justice director at Human Rights Watch, told the AP.
Last year, Mongolia refused to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin during a state visit. Judges ruled Mongolia had failed to comply with its obligations and referred the matter to the court’s oversight board, the Assembly of States Parties.
 

JEDDAH: Saudi companies across multiple industries are increasingly integrating environmental, social, and governance principles into their corporate strategies, driving sustainable growth while balancing environmental stewardship, community impact, and corporate responsibility.

This strategic shift aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 roadmap — a transformative economic diversification plan — and its ambitious 2060 net zero emissions target, reinforcing the nation’s position as a sustainability leader.

SAWACO Water Group exemplifies this transformation, embedding sustainability into its core operations.

“Sustainability is not just a goal; it’s a responsibility,” CEO Nizar Kammourie told Arab News, emphasizing the company’s alignment with Vision 2030’s focus on environmental and social progress.

He added: “At SAWACO, we integrate ESG into every aspect of our operations, from optimizing resource efficiency to ensuring transparent governance and community engagement.”

Underpinning this commitment, SAWACO has implemented advanced operations intelligence software to enhance energy efficiency in desalination plants.

“We are leveraging cutting-edge technology to reduce power and chemical consumption while extending the life cycle of our assets,” said Kammourie.

The company also tracks carbon emissions through its Remedium Platform, which supports data-driven reduction targets.

“Accurate carbon accounting allows us to set tangible, data-driven targets for reducing our environmental footprint, ensuring our growth remains responsible and sustainable,” he added.

To address resource optimization, SAWACO has partnered with a US-based firm to pioneer brine minimization technology.

“Water is one of our most precious resources, and we are committed to maximizing its use,” said Kammourie.

“Our innovative brine minimization system enhances freshwater recovery from seawater while significantly reducing brine discharge, preserving marine ecosystems and supporting coastal livelihoods.”

Governance reforms further solidify SAWACO’s ESG leadership. A dedicated committee oversees alignment with international sustainability standards such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“Ethical governance is the foundation of a sustainable business,” said Kammourie “By integrating real-time data analytics, third-party audits, and stakeholder engagement into our decision-making process, we ensure accountability at every level.”

He added: “Sustainability must be measured, not just discussed. That’s why we also integrate ESG metrics into performance reviews, making it a part of our company culture rather than just a corporate initiative.

“We are not just providing water — we are safeguarding the future of water sustainability in Saudi Arabia. Our goal is to drive meaningful change that aligns economic success with long-term sustainability.”

These efforts reflect broader national momentum, as Saudi businesses bridge profitability and planetary stewardship to set new benchmarks for ESG leadership in emerging markets.

Similarly, Luisa Javier, CEO of WAYAKIT, highlighted how her women-led biotechnology company has embedded ESG into its DNA, transforming hygiene solutions in aviation, transportation, and facilities management.

“We are not just creating products; we are building solutions that have a measurable environmental and social impact,” she told Arab News.  

WAYAKIT’s flagship disinfectant eliminates 99.999 percent of viruses and bacteria in just 30 seconds using 93 percent biodegradable components.

By replacing harmful quaternary ammonium compounds with biodegradable nano-modified citric acid in aircraft cleaning processes, the company says it has reduced environmental impact by 94 percent.

In addition, its environmental footprint tracker measures progress in energy efficiency, water conservation, pollution reduction, and health improvements.

“Sustainability isn’t just about compliance — it’s about innovation,” said Javier. “We have to rethink traditional approaches and develop solutions that align with the future.”

WAYAKIT also integrates ESG principles into its governance and transparency measures. Its women-led C-suite strengthens decision-making diversity, while blockchain technology safeguards sustainability metrics, preventing greenwashing and ensuring accurate reporting.

“Authenticity matters,” said Javier. “Every sustainability claim we make is backed by rigorous third-party laboratory testing. We are setting a new standard for how biotech companies can be both profitable and responsible.”

Community engagement is another cornerstone of WAYAKIT’s ESG strategy. With 70 percent of its workforce consisting of women, the company provides technical training in biotechnology and leadership development to foster career advancement for Saudi women.

“Empowering women in STEM is not just a mission — it’s a responsibility,” said Javier. “Our workforce is a reflection of what Saudi Vision 2030 aims to achieve: a thriving, innovative economy where women play a central role.”

This momentum is part of a broader national trend. A 2023 report by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, PIF, highlighted how Saudi organizations, particularly those within its portfolio, are spearheading ESG awareness and implementation.

The Saudi Green Initiative, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, supports this shift with $187 billion in investments across more than 60 programs to advance the green economy.

Through large-scale investments in green initiatives, innovative carbon reduction strategies, and community-focused programs like those led by SAWACO and WAYAKIT, Saudi businesses are proving that profitability and sustainability can coexist.

Collectively, these efforts set a new benchmark for ESG leadership in emerging markets while positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in sustainable development.