Abstract
The chronic water shortage in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region is a perplexing issue, undoubtedly because various operational sectors, multi-institutions and stakeholders are inextricably interconnected. In the light of climate variability and the unprecedented population growth rate, the per capita water resources and biocapacity will continue plummeting, and the demand-gap will seriously expand. Existing water quantification agreements have been deemed inefficient to solve the problem of naturally diminishing water resources and thus require immediate re-assembling. Most scholarly endeavors, including key international organizations, NGOs, and “Think Tank” policy briefs have limitedly addressed water shortage in contexts of regional politics, mass media, and, importantly, from social psychology perspectives. Therefore, a thorough analysis and interdisciplinary approach is required to find a feasible and suitable framework of solutions and from a multi-perspective podium. A synthesis of cross-sectorial bottlenecks that are crucial to water management is presented, and a suite of practical recommendations are introduced to water authorities and governments. This study argues that in the shadow of the region’s political instability, the clash of ideologies and its repercussions, and issues of national security and sovereignty, regional cooperation on water issues remain prognostications. In this essence, governments of MENA countries are urged to develop measures to substantially increase the water supply through innovative approaches. Such measures include enhancing the capacities of water harvesting, maximizing the storage capacities of the built dams, and deploying groundwater recharge techniques. Furthermore, seawater and brackish water desalination through clean energy technologies is a contemporary solution with socio-economic and multiple benefits. Multi-billion water projects might not be suitable approach in the absence of external funding and the aforementioned hurdles. Further research is required to address the social economics, and environmental aspects of desalination and the socio-economic feasibility of privatizing drinking water utilities and price polarization.
Highlights
The Middle East North Africa (MENA)1 region has undoubtedly been attractive in the eyes of the international community for decades due to the so-called “low hanging fruits” of natural resource opportunities, and for a number of present yet past-driven geopolitical issues
The water conflicts in MENA region have remarkably gained academic impetus and it has been a quintessential issue to a number of NGOs, key international organizations e.g. (UN, FAO, WB, and IMF) and from eminent international “Think Tanks” that have assiduously addressed thematic subjects related to water conflicts
The main objective of this study is to provide the readers with an overview of the challenges confronting MENA region with special focus on water shortage
Summary
The Middle East North Africa (MENA) region has undoubtedly been attractive in the eyes of the international community for decades due to the so-called “low hanging fruits” of natural resource opportunities, and for a number of present yet past-driven geopolitical issues. The water conflicts in MENA region have remarkably gained academic impetus and it has been a quintessential issue to a number of NGOs, key international organizations e.g. (UN, FAO, WB, and IMF) and from eminent international “Think Tanks” that have assiduously addressed thematic subjects related to water conflicts The outcomes of such endeavors have, provided a clear understanding of the problem and provided a set of. The study seeks to suggest a suite of practical recommendations that would contribute to the frameworks of solutions already presented in the literature
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
