A coordinated approach to West Asia’s water
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One vital resource sits at the heart of all life — water. From natural habitats to the rise of civilizations, water is essential to people and the planet alike and crucial for survival, agriculture, industries, sanitation, and health systems.
As populations grow, so too does the demand for water to support development. This increased demand places a strain on limited surface and groundwater, which has repercussions for political stability, economic development, and the well-being of communities.
Ten percent of the global population live in nations that are under high to critical levels of water stress, while 1.6 billion people will lack safely managed drinking water by 2030. In fact, most disasters that befall humanity are directly or indirectly linked to water.
Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of such disasters, including pollution, floods, dust storms, landslides, droughts, wildfires, and other extreme weather events.
Several countries in the West Asia region face severe water scarcity due to their arid climates, reduced rainfall, limited freshwater resources, habitat loss, and over-extraction of groundwater for agricultural and industrial purposes.
Five of the region’s 12 countries have the lowest water availability per capita in the world. Millions of people in these countries lack access to clean drinking water due to conflicts and deteriorating infrastructure.
Since its inception, the UN Environment Programme has been monitoring, managing, and protecting water resources and freshwater ecosystems as a core element of its mandate.
UNEP recognizes that environmental crises directly — and in some cases disproportionately — affect freshwater bodies. At the same time, when functional, protected, restored, and well managed, freshwater bodies are strong allies in combating such crises.
Now is the time to shift to a more coordinated, forward-looking approach — one that ensures water remains a source of stability and progress.
Sami Dimassi
They can help protect and restore biodiversity, mitigate pollution through water filtration and purification, and contribute to climate stability by providing both mitigation and adaptation benefits.
Long-term improvements in water quality require work on infrastructure, storage, and distribution, coupled with robust legislative and institutional frameworks to implement integrated policies that reflect the links between land, water-based ecosystems, and governance.
Exploring unconventional water sources, such as rainwater harvesting, and wastewater recycling, can help meet the growing demand.
Building databases and using technology to track water quality trends over time can help countries identify pollution hotspots and prioritize action in areas most at risk.
These solutions require collaboration among governments, industries, and communities, as well as the integration of advanced technologies and sustainable practices to ensure access to clean water in the face of growing challenges in West Asia.
Many countries in the region share river basins and aquifers, such as the Tigris-Euphrates and Jordan River, making regional cooperation essential to address pollution and the over-extraction of water resources, ensuring equitable distribution and sustainable use.
Moreover, collaborative efforts between countries on water conservation, pollution control, and ecosystem restoration can help improve water quality across borders.
Water is at the center of sustainable development. Integrating water into national strategies across all sectors and fostering regional cooperation can build resilience against mounting environmental and socio-economic pressures in West Asia.
Now is the time to shift to a more coordinated, forward-looking approach — one that ensures water remains a source of stability and progress.
• Sami Dimassi is director and regional representative of the UN Environment Programme in West Asia
