Arab water conference discusses water sustainability
Jordan is hosting this Nov.27-28 the 6th Arab Water Conference that brings together leading experts and specialists in the field of water from various Arab countries.
This conference, held under the theme “Governance Towards Achieving Sustainable Development in Water,” provides a platform for participants to exchange experiences and knowledge about the latest developments and challenges in water resource management and to enhance its sustainability in the Arab region.
The conference was preceded by the 16th session of the Arab Ministerial Water Council that focused on strengthening regional cooperation to address water scarcity and achieve sustainable development goals.
Member countries reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Arab and global initiatives aimed at tackling water challenges and enhancing water security. One key initiative reviewed was the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, which promotes the development and application of innovative technologies to combat global water scarcity while placing the issue on international agendas.
Discussions centered on advancing the Arab Water Security Strategy, managing shared water resources, and implementing the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan, which focuses on clean water and sanitation for all.
The council also emphasized the significance of the upcoming United Nations Water Conference, set to be co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal in December 2026.
The council’s consultative scientific and technical committee on its part laid the groundwork by addressing critical water issues in the Arab region. The committee identified key regional priorities, including enhancing Arab countries’ negotiating capacity over shared water resources with non-Arab states, expanding the use of non-traditional water resources, supporting the Palestinian water sector, safeguarding Iraq’s water rights in the Tigris and Euphrates basins, and developing legislative frameworks to govern water management effectively.
The Arab region is one of the most water-scarce areas in the world due to the dominance of a desert climate in most of its territories. The situation is worsening due to the impact of conflicts, climate change, economic difficulties, and shared water basins with neighboring countries, which account for more than 60% of its water sources.
The water crisis has become a threat to the region’s stability, as well as to human development and sustainable growth. Water issues hold special importance in the Arab world given the limited availability of drinking water. Therefore, Arab countries must prioritize the development and preservation of water resources when formulating their security strategies. “Water security” should be at the top of the priority list due to the scarcity of traditional water resources. This necessitates serious efforts to preserve and develop these resources, as well as to find new water resources.
In an era where water and environmental concerns are at the forefront due to climate changes, the concepts of sustainable development and governance have become urgent needs. They represent a collective effort to tackle the challenges of our time, to achieve social and economic development, and to build effective policies and strategies. These should be based on integrated approaches shared by Arab countries to face these challenges.
