Arab region accelerates innovative solutions to water and climate challenges at Bahrain conference

Recently, at the Global Conference on Water, Energy, and Climate Change held in Bahrain, three ministers from Bahrain, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates shared their views on a comprehensive roadmap. This roadmap addressed the complex water and climate issues that the Arab region faces today. Their messages highlighted that water security isn’t just a technical concern or a matter of development; it’s a matter of survival—an urgent global priority that needs immediate attention.

Dr. Mohammed bin Daina, Bahrain’s Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Climate Envoy, pointed out that the interconnected problems of water scarcity, energy demand, and climate change require swift, coordinated international efforts. He also reflected on Bahrain’s previous experience hosting the conference, saying that while these issues are worldwide, lasting solutions depend on innovative policies and teamwork at all levels—from very local communities right up to international organizations. The conference’s theme—“Sustainable Transformation in Water and Energy for a Secure Future”—encapsulated these core challenges, including water shortages, rising temperatures, droughts, environmental sustainability, and ecosystem protection. Dr. bin Daina emphasized that through innovation, joint efforts, and good policies, these challenges can be turned into opportunities to boost both water and energy security at the same time.

In acknowledging important strategic partnerships, he thanked organizations like Saudi Aramco and praised the essential role of regional and global institutions that support initiatives uniting governments, private companies, and international bodies under common goals. He reiterated Bahrain’s commitment to sustainable climate actions and efforts to reduce water scarcity, stressing the importance of balancing economic growth and environmental responsibility.

From Egypt, Dr. Hani Sewilam, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, offered a clear overview of Egypt’s urgent water issues. He highlighted that the country’s population has quadrupled since 1960, yet the water resources have remained largely unchanged. As a result, per capita water availability has shrunk to about 500 cubic meters per year—well below what’s considered a critical threshold worldwide. Dr. Sewilam stressed that Egypt depends heavily on the Nile River, especially since there isn’t much rainfall, so tackling water problems requires multi-faceted strategies. Among these are increasing water reuse—now over 22 billion cubic meters yearly—and developing major infrastructure projects such as Al-Mohsama, Bahr El-Baqar, and the New Delta stations, which are among the largest globally.

He also explained that desalination is a key strategy for Egypt, although it’s energy-demanding. Therefore, it’s crucial to pair desalination with renewable energy sources to make it feasible environmentally and financially. Egypt is investing significantly in modern technologies, like artificial intelligence systems that monitor water networks and help detect illegal wells—these innovations improve efficiency and cut down water losses. Regionally, he highlighted that the Nile River is a shared resource among 11 countries and called for cooperation in line with international norms. Egypt’s position on upstream dams, such as Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), is based on following rules and agreements rather than confrontation. Although tensions persist, Egypt advocates for partnerships aimed at regional water security.

Turning to the UAE, Dr. Amina Al-Dahhak, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, outlined her country’s approach of balancing economic growth with environmental care. She cited projects such as the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant and the Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park as examples of how the UAE is meeting around 30% of its energy needs from low-carbon sources. The country is steadily moving toward even higher renewable energy use. Dr. Al-Dahhak also highlighted how AI and predictive systems are crucial for optimizing water and energy networks—these technologies help reduce waste and improve operational efficiency.

As the UAE prepares to host COP28, she shared the country’s efforts to develop a historic climate pact that considers the energy transition while respecting the varying capacities of different nations to adapt. She stressed that local innovation is essential—solutions should be tailored to regional geography and climate, and not just imported from elsewhere.

At the close of the conference, there was general agreement on three key strategies to improve water security in the Arab region: first, better water use efficiency—improving distribution and reducing losses; second, expanding water reuse, especially in agriculture and industry; and third, advancing desalination linked closely with renewable energy to ensure long-term sustainability. The ministers also agreed that cutting-edge technologies, data analytics, and artificial intelligence are vital tools for managing resources successfully. They underscored that actual implementation—more than just talk—will determine how much progress is made. Deepening cooperation, both regionally and globally, remains critical for overcoming the shared water challenges in this particularly water-stressed part of the world.

These discussions happen against a backdrop of larger regional developments that underline the scale and complexity of water and energy issues. Egypt’s population growth, although slowing to about 1.4% annually, still pushes up demand. Nearly 60% of Egyptians live below or at the poverty line, intensifying pressures on water, jobs, and infrastructure. Egypt is also pushing ahead with several major projects, like the New Delta desert city, which aims to divert part of the Nile to support urban and agricultural development and ease economic and resource pressures.

Egypt is also expanding its desalination capacity aggressively—its efforts make it the largest operator of desalination plants in the Middle East. The government aims to increase capacity from today’s 1.2 million cubic meters daily to about 9 million by 2050, with several new plants scheduled to start operation by 2026. These initiatives reflect Egypt’s strategic pivot toward alternative water sources beyond traditional supplies.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, has ratcheted up regional tensions, particularly with Egypt. Egypt worries that less Nile flow during droughts could threaten its water supply. Ethiopia sees the dam as a pathway to more electricity and export potential. Although recent reservoir fillings have managed to avoid major crises, unresolved diplomatic issues and calls for binding international agreements still linger, complicating efforts for basin-wide cooperation.

The private sector and international collaborations are also shaping the agenda. For example, a memorandum between French utility Suez, German company Siemens, and Abu Dhabi’s TAQA aims to develop affordable, sustainable desalination tech for markets still emerging. This underscores how innovation and cross-border partnerships are becoming increasingly important.

All these points—the focus on innovation, cooperation, and moving toward sustainable water and energy systems—are very much in line with the broader regional challenges. Meeting water scarcity in this part of the world demands integrated, multi-pronged solutions that consider demographic trends, environmental limits, and economic goals. Together, these efforts aim to secure a resilient water-energy future for generations to come.

Source: Noah Wire Services