The Ministry of Environment launches the smart assistant "Saqr" to protect water resources

In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to harnessing modern technologies for sustainable development, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture launched the smart assistant "Saqr," the latest output of the digital platform for water resource sustainability, "Hafez." This step represents a qualitative leap in field monitoring mechanisms, aimed at protecting water resources, which are among the Kingdom's most important strategic resources.

Strategic context: Addressing water security challenges

This event cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader context and environmental challenges facing the region. Given its geographical location in an arid and drought-stricken area, Saudi Arabia places water security at the forefront of its national priorities. The launch of "Saqr" aligns with the National Water Strategy 2030, which aims to ensure the sustainability and development of water resources. Implementing strict and intelligent monitoring of groundwater and surface water sources is a cornerstone of the comprehensive "Water System," which the government has adopted to regulate the sector and curb waste and excessive depletion.

Artificial intelligence technologies in the field

The ministry explained that the smart assistant "Saqr" is not merely a traditional tool, but an innovative technological solution entirely based on artificial intelligence algorithms. This system is designed to be the digital companion for field inspectors, enabling them to access the texts of the Water Law and its implementing regulations immediately and accurately. Saqr's added value lies in its ability to analyze input and guide the inspector toward the correct legal classification of the violation based on its location, type, and licensing status, thus significantly reducing personal interpretations and procedural errors that could hinder the course of regulatory justice.

Expected impact: Operational efficiency and legal compliance

This launch is expected to have a tangible impact on several levels:

• Locally: The system will contribute to accelerating enforcement procedures and reducing the time spent dealing with violations, which will raise compliance rates with regulations and enhance the prestige of the law in protecting public resources.
• Procedurally: “Saqr” will work to unify the systematic understanding among all inspectors in the various regions of the Kingdom, and guide them towards the documents and attachments required for each case with extreme precision, thus ensuring the completeness and legal soundness of the seizure reports.
• Digitally: This launch reinforces the Kingdom’s position as a leading country in the field of “digital governance,” where technology is integrated into the smallest details of daily government work.

The smart assistant “Saqr” embodies the strategic direction of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture towards full digital transformation, in service of the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which focuses on raising the efficiency of government performance and preserving the environment and natural resources for future generations.