Water scarcity in the Middle East is intensifying due to climate change, population growth and overuse. Desalination currently accounts for 70% of Saudi Arabia’s water supply and contributes to 55% of global brine production in conjunction with the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar. While sustainable desalination and large-scale water reuse are indispensable for water security in arid regions, their long-term viability depends on integration with renewable energy and circular water systems as well as robust environmental safeguards. Innovation in technology, finance and data can help optimise resource use and strengthen resilience in the sector. This panel explores how these solutions can be scaled. How can regional co-operation support better management of shared water resources and data based decision-making? What innovation could make desalination more sustainable and cost-competitive at scale?