13 Arab Nations Facing Severe Water Scarcity, with Per Capita Availability Below 800 Cubic Meters Annually
Dubai – Mervat Badawi, Al Ain – Jamila Ismail
A report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that approximately 4 billion people, or two-thirds of the global population, experience significant water scarcity for at least one month every year. The UN forecasts that by 2040, nearly 40% of the world’s population could face severe water shortages.
This critical water scarcity may lead to the displacement of around 700 million individuals by 2030. Moreover, UNICEF predicts that by 2040, one in four children worldwide will reside in areas severely affected by water shortages.
In the Arab region, 13 countries are grappling with severe water scarcity, with the average water availability per Arab citizen falling below 800 cubic meters annually.
The UAE, through the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and relevant authorities, has initiated several initiatives and plans to address this issue, notably the launch of the 2036 Water Security Strategy.
The strategy aims to ensure the sustainability and continuous access to water resources during both normal and extreme emergency conditions. Key objectives include reducing overall water resource demand by 21%.
Additionally, the goal is to decrease the water scarcity index by three points, improve the recycled water reuse rate to 95%, and secure a two-day storage capacity for regular operations within the water system.
Initiatives
The Ministry unveiled various initiatives aimed at expediting the transformation of the water sector and achieving the nation’s sustainable development goals, indicating its commitment to ensuring enduring water security.
Engineer Ahmed Mohammed Al Kaabi, Assistant Undersecretary for Electricity, Water, and Future Energy, highlighted the ministry’s collaboration with all water-related entities in drafting the 2036 Water Security Strategy. This comprehensive national plan encompasses all elements of the water supply chain.
Spanning a 20-year timeframe, the strategy is based on three main programs: management of water supply, demand management, and emergency production and distribution.
The authorities concerned with water supply are focused on constructing, operating, and maintaining desalination plants, as well as managing transportation and distribution networks to ensure that various sectors—domestic, commercial, industrial, and agricultural—are adequately supplied with water.
In the demand management program, the ministry and its partners implement initiatives aimed at promoting water conservation and reducing waste. These include awareness campaigns, encouraging the use of conservation devices, and developing legislation such as pricing systems and consumption tiers.
In 2021, the ministry launched the National Energy and Water Demand Management Program to enhance national coordination in this domain. Regarding the emergency production and distribution program, the strategy emphasizes strengthening national readiness through inter-agency connectivity projects.
Moreover, it seeks to increase storage capacities by establishing reservoirs and developing underground storage projects, along with formulating emergency plans and operational scenarios.
He added: “Smart technologies and artificial intelligence applications contribute to enhancing the efficiency of water production and distribution by reducing operating and maintenance costs and predicting issues through real-time data analysis. These technologies include smart meters and systems that monitor consumption patterns and water losses in homes, factories, and agriculture, supporting sustainability initiatives.”
Statistics
Al Kaabi noted that the rate of treated wastewater reuse has surpassed 70%, with the 2036 Water Security Strategy aiming to elevate this percentage to over 95% by 2036. Treated water is utilized for irrigating green spaces, agriculture, industrial uses, and district cooling.
Additionally, pioneering projects for purifying treated water are in place for use in construction and industrial applications. He also pointed out that relevant authorities have instituted awareness programs across various sectors to reduce consumption rates and ensure sustainability.
Regarding the main challenges facing water security in the UAE amid climate change, Engineer Ahmed Mohammed Al Kaabi stated: “The scarcity of natural freshwater is a significant challenge, as climate change results in rising temperatures.
The decline in rainfall rates increases pressure on groundwater, which is already facing depletion and limited natural replenishment; consequently, the strategy emphasizes the management of groundwater demand and enhancing underground storage through dams, water barriers, and cloud seeding programs.”
He mentioned that universities and research centers play a crucial role in analyzing water-related challenges and proposing innovative technological solutions while developing specialized educational curricula. The ministry supports research efforts through the “Research and Innovation Award,” which includes a water component.
There has been significant participation from national universities, and collaboration is ongoing with advanced nations, exemplified by the development of advanced membrane desalination projects with South Korea. Currently, a joint research program is underway to explore the use of artificial intelligence in managing water loss.
He further noted, “Community awareness is essential for instilling sustainable practices, and the ministry seeks to measure this impact every three years. In partnership with the Ministry of Education, a sustainable framework for curricula is being developed to integrate sustainability concepts across all subjects.
Regular visits to public schools are organized to conduct awareness workshops on the ministry’s areas of expertise. This year, 11 visits have been conducted, and a conservation booklet was prepared in collaboration with the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, providing practical guidance on conserving electricity and water in daily life.”
Water Challenges
Dr. Dala Matar Al Shamsi, Director of the National Water and Energy Center at the United Arab Emirates University, stated: “The UAE is at the forefront of tackling water challenges through innovation. A range of advanced policies and technologies prioritizing sustainability and the reuse of water resources has been implemented.
Furthermore, the university has made significant progress in various areas, including improving desalination efficiency and developing water treatment technologies, as well as conducting necessary research to understand and protect local aquatic ecosystems.
Our role in educating and raising awareness among the younger generation about water issues is crucial for ensuring the continuation of efforts to safeguard this vital resource.”
Dr. Moataz Ali, Professor of Chemical Engineering and Water Desalination at the University of Sharjah, expressed, “We have a suite of research projects and modern technologies developed by my team at the University of Sharjah, specifically tailored to match the characteristics of local groundwater and seawater, while also considering the reduction of environmental impacts from current desalination plants. The team has succeeded in developing systems and techniques that align with the nature of both groundwater and seawater in the nation, with an emphasis on minimizing the environmental footprint of these plants.”
He added, “The team is currently collaborating with several local companies to test the latest research innovations in seawater and groundwater desalination plants, expressing hope that these efforts will succeed so that these solutions can be widely adopted to benefit citizens within the country and potentially for global use.”
Professor Sherin Farouk, Associate Director of Abu Dhabi University for International Relations and Academic Projects, emphasized the university’s commitment to launching pioneering projects that align with its strategic priorities in research, sustainability, and global impact, reinforcing its significant role in formulating future solutions for water security, which are consistent with the UAE’s sustainability agenda.
She added, “Abu Dhabi University presented a collaborative research project focusing on the innovative reuse of treated wastewater within the value-added water chains. This study assesses microplastic contaminants in incoming and outgoing waters from sewage treatment plants in Abu Dhabi, which is essential for any safe application of treated wastewater in health-impacting uses.”
Climate Changes
Dr. Imad Saad, a sustainability expert, stressed the need to reshape the skills of students and graduates, highlighting this as an urgent requirement as the impact of climate change on water security is becoming increasingly evident. He noted that a greater focus on sustainability could open avenues for job opportunities in areas related to water sustainability, environmental technology, and innovation.
Dr. Saed Al Dhaheri, Director of the Future Studies Center at Dubai University, pointed out that one of the reasons for the global shortage of “green skills” is the lack of specialized academic programs that address the needs of water security and sustainability.
Moreover, there is a deficiency in vocational training, noting that the rapid current rate of water depletion in the Middle East and North Africa may classify the region among those suffering from “water scarcity” by 2030.
With 13 Arab nations being categorized as facing severe water shortages, the connection between food security and water sustainability becomes apparent. Amid rising population growth rates and diminishing water resources, the need for innovative solutions to ensure global water security has become more pressing than ever.
Global Model
Dr. Ibrahim Ali Mohammed, Chairman of the Emirates Environmental Friends Society, affirmed that sustaining water resources and ensuring water security is an ongoing and flexible endeavor. The methods to achieve this evolve with changing conditions, such as rainfall rates and the advancement of energy methods used to access non-traditional water resources, making it a global model for effective water management, enhancing water security, and achieving environmental sustainability.
It is noteworthy that the UAE has launched the Mohamed bin Zayed Initiative for Water to address the urgent global challenge of water scarcity, aiming to increase awareness about the seriousness of the water scarcity crisis internationally, and accelerating the development of innovative technological solutions to tackle it.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award continues its efforts to incentivize and honor institutions, research centers, and innovators developing creative technologies and models for producing, desalinating, and purifying water using renewable energy.
The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement showcases the UAE’s commitment to strengthening water security, having successfully encouraged and supported researchers and specialists, providing them with greater opportunities to contribute to alleviating water scarcity worldwide.