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Achieving water security in the Middle East and North Africa
(MENA) region is an enormous challenge. e area is one of the most
water-scarce regions in the world. It struggles with limited renewable
water sources and is beset by increasing demand coupled with less
supply amid climate change. e rapidly increasing gap between the
supply and demand of water in the region has forced the MENA
governments to overuse groundwater and erect massive desalination
plants that have lead to environmental degradation. At present, the
MENA region produces around 40% of the total desalinated water
worldwide. Desalination capacity is expected to grow particularly
in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), despite
the environmental costs. Water security in MENA is also under
mounting pressure from multiple directions. e war in Ukraine and
the COVID-19 pandemic have created additional strains on water
and food security. Shifting the status-quo in the region is urgently
needed, yet the challenge of bringing about change is enormous.
In terms of socio-economic and political conditions, the MENA
region is incredibly diverse. is diversity can contribute to conflict
and political instability. It also prevents the region from dealing with
the triple threats of climate change, rising food and energy costs,
and economic crises, all of which exacerbate poverty, inequality and
underdevelopment. However, there are a range of strategies available
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that can help the region do more with available water resources.
is paper proposes the PROACTIVE framework for a new
paradigm to water security; Priorities, Resilience, Opportunities,
Adaptive solutions, Coherence, Technology, Innovation, Vision, and
Early recovery. is would see closer cooperation between regional
partners and the implementations of a systematic approach. e
governments of the MENA region will need to move forward in
each PROACTIVE area if they are to ensure future water and food
security for all.
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