Water Resources And Hydrometeorology Of The Arab Region

This book gives a unique portrait of the water resources in the Arab region dealing with climate and hydrology. It provides a historical introduction, physiographic features and geological settings of the region and its climate. The book deals with storage of water and impacts of water scarcity on the region’s future. There are reviews of topics coupled with case studies, data analyses, discussions and conclusions.

Dealing with the scarcity of water resources in the Arab region for agricultural, domestic and industrial purposes, this text emphasizes the climate and hydrology of the region, as well as the measures needed to reduce the severity of the water scarcity problem.

These essays address the tightening water resource problems of the Arab region, focusing on today's need to move toward rationalized new patterns of using water within the national economies. The authors discuss themes of water conflict and provide detailed looks at the Maghreb, the Nile countries, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Mashrek.

The publication looks at the alarming current water situation in the Arab countries, with demand for water increasing exponentially as a result of rapid population expansion, changing lifestyles, urbanisation, and the pressures of economic growth. The high dependency of the region on transboundary waters and growing competition over water use further intensifies the water crisis. Furthermore, the repercussions of climate change will exacerbate these ongoing challenges. This water crisis is, at its core, an issue of governance, often managed by fragmented government institutions with inadequate capacities leading to inefficient provision of potable water and sanitation services. Lastly, the Arab region's current political and economic transformations present an opportunity to advance water governance reform, while effective water governance systems can in turn catalyse region-wide aspirations for overall good governance and sustainable human development.

The Middle East is a region of international concern and political unrest. This book forms a complete reference to both the hydrological as well as the social, economic, political and legal issues in the region and shows how water shortages threaten the renewal of military conflicts and disruption in the area. With resources over-extended due to natural and human causes, the book analyses the river basins of the Euphrates, Tigris, Nile and Jordan and provides detailed study of the hydrology, hydrography and geography of these river basins; it also analyses the needs of the economies and societies of the countries bordering these basins. Conclusions on likely areas of conflict are set within the legal framework of the Helsinki and International Law Commission Rules.

Many countries in the world have made great efforts, to remedy the water shortage, by providing financial and technical backing, for water desalination, treatment of wastewater and improved management and conservation techniques. Water ministries, universities and research centres have supported scientific research, and applied the most recent technologies, in search of new and alternative water supplies. Laws have been promulgated, economic and public relation campaigns developed, to promote and encourage the practice of efficient water use and the conservation of this scarce commodity. This book covers water resources and management and provides a new vision of water resources management, water conservation and legislations, water law, and modern techniques of water resources investigation.

This book investigates the need for a more open and interdisciplinary dialogue on the nexus of food, water and energy security in the Arab region. It argues that achieving sustainable economic development is irretrievably tied to the security of the water–energy–food nexus, which is in turn essential for bringing about sustained peace. Further, it discusses various approaches to achieving these lofty objectives, and offers the following take-away messages: The Arab region is currently under considerable water stress, and the situation will continue to get worse with a number of global changes – most notably those related to climate and regional water distribution. Viable solutions are available in the Arab region and can be implemented through innovative policies, judicious use of new technologies, and stimulating public opinion. Integration across water, energy, and food sectors is obviously needed but achieving it in practice is extremely challenging. There are some gaps in the scientific understanding but at the same time there is a wealth of data and synthesized information that can guide decision-making.

This sixth issue of the ESCWA Water Development Report offers an analytical framework and a series of case studies for understanding the water-energy-food security nexus in the Arab region. The analytical framework considers the inter-linkages that affect the achievement of water security, energy security and food security through the lens of sustainable development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals with a view to climate change and ensuring access to food, water and sustainable energy for all through a human rights approach to sustainable development.