Tackling Water Scarcity in the Middle East: Challenges and Pathways to Achieving SDG6

This study examines water resource management in 15 Middle Eastern countries, highlighting the severe challenges of water scarcity, political instability, and population growth. It emphasizes the need for technological innovation, regional cooperation, and improved policies to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6.

A study, conducted by researchers from the Asia-Europe Institute at Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, and the School of Humanities at Zhuhai College of Science and Technology, explores the complex challenges of water resource management in 15 Middle Eastern countries, particularly in the context of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6). With the Middle East being one of the most arid regions globally, water scarcity is a significant issue exacerbated by rapid population growth, political instability, and climate change. The researchers employed advanced text analysis techniques, including a pre-trained large language model based on RoBERTa and the TF-IDF algorithm, to systematically evaluate and compare 123 water resource policies from these countries. The findings shed light on the diverse approaches these nations have adopted to manage their water resources and the gaps that remain in achieving sustainable water management.

A Region Facing Severe Water Stress

Water scarcity in the Middle East is severe, primarily due to the region's arid climate and lack of freshwater resources. The situation is further aggravated by increasing temperatures and reduced rainfall, both direct effects of climate change. In addition to natural factors, human activities such as pollution from industrial wastewater, agricultural runoff, and untreated urban sewage contribute to the region's water woes. The study highlights that, by 2050, the population in the Middle East is projected to rise from the current 240 million to 630 million, significantly increasing the demand for water and exacerbating the strain on already scarce resources. Moreover, political conflicts in the region complicate the issue of water management, with competition for limited water supplies sometimes escalating to national security concerns. These challenges are further compounded by the uneven distribution of water resources, inefficient management policies, and inadequate infrastructure in many countries.

Innovation in Water Management: Success Stories from Kuwait and Jordan

Despite these challenges, some Middle Eastern countries have implemented innovative strategies to address water scarcity. For instance, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) rely heavily on advanced desalination technologies to supplement their freshwater supplies. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE, have the highest global desalination capacity. Desalination has become a key component of their strategy to ensure a stable water supply, with Saudi Arabia being the world’s leading producer of desalinated water. The study also highlights Jordan as a positive example of innovative water management. Through partnerships and international cooperation, Jordan has managed to improve its water resource management significantly. The country has engaged in desalination projects and collaborative initiatives with neighboring countries to secure its water supply, demonstrating the potential of public-private partnerships and regional cooperation in addressing water challenges.

The Gaps in Sanitation and Transboundary Cooperation

However, significant gaps remain in the region's water management strategies. One of the major issues identified in the study is the lack of comprehensive sanitation policies. While desalination provides a solution to water scarcity, many countries struggle with inadequate sewage treatment facilities, leading to water pollution that threatens public health and further diminishes the availability of clean water. The study also points out the challenges in transboundary water cooperation, particularly in regions where rivers and water basins cross national borders. Political instability and territorial disputes make it difficult to establish effective agreements for shared water management. For example, disputes over the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, which flow through Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, have long been a source of tension, complicating efforts to manage these critical water resources.

Achieving SDG6: The Need for Integrated Approaches

The study suggests that achieving SDG6 in the Middle East requires a multi-faceted approach. Technological innovation, such as the adoption of smart water meters and advanced irrigation systems, can play a crucial role in improving water-use efficiency and reducing waste. Public-private partnerships are also essential for financing large-scale water projects and developing the infrastructure needed to support sustainable water management. Additionally, international cooperation is critical, particularly for countries that share water resources across borders. Successful examples of such cooperation include Jordan’s collaboration with Israel and the UAE on water and energy exchange projects, which have helped alleviate water stress in the region.

More Progress Needed to Address Water Challenges

While the Middle East has made strides in adopting technologies like desalination and wastewater recycling, the study emphasizes that these efforts are not enough to fully address the region’s water challenges. More attention must be paid to improving sanitation, reducing pollution, and ensuring equitable access to clean water for all, particularly in underdeveloped areas. The uneven distribution of water resources across the region, combined with the varying levels of political will and economic capacity, means that some countries are better positioned to tackle these issues than others. For the Middle East to achieve SDG6 by 2030, governments will need to implement more effective water management policies that are both sustainable and adaptable to the region’s unique environmental and political landscape.

The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of water resource management in the Middle East and offers valuable insights for policymakers. It underscores the urgent need for integrated, multi-faceted approaches that combine technological innovation, regional cooperation, and strong policy frameworks. While progress has been made, the path to achieving SDG6 remains fraught with challenges that require coordinated efforts from governments, stakeholders, and the international community.