Mar

Water in the Arab World – Challenges and Opportunities for a Sustainable Future

The Third Arab State of the Water Report, prepared by the Centre for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE), offers an in-depth analysis of the region’s water resources, key challenges, and opportunities to enhance sustainability and water security.

Key Facts & Figures:

• In 2024, the average per capita renewable freshwater resources in Arab countries stood at approximately 480 cubic meters, highlighting the urgent need for innovative water management strategies.

• The report reveals that 19 Arab countries fall below the water poverty threshold of 1,000 cubic meters per capita annually. Alarmingly, 13 of these countries face extreme water shortages, with availability dropping below 500 cubic meters per capita per year.

• Rainfall distribution across the region is highly uneven—mountainous areas receive the majority of precipitation, while desert and semi-desert regions face severe scarcity, directly impacting surface water flows and river formations.

• A significant 65% of the region’s water resources originate from outside its borders, emphasizing the critical need for regional cooperation and strategic planning to ensure effective water management.

Key Solutions for Enhancing Water Security

To address these pressing challenges, the report recommends several strategic solutions, including:

Enhancing water use efficiency in agriculture