Rabat – An alarming 74 million people in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region struggle to access safe water sources, experts at the fifth Arab Water Conference in Riyadh indicated.
The conference, held under the banner of “Sustainable Development in the Arab Region” on November 22 and 23, delved into the issues that the region faces, including water scarcity, political challenges, and disparities in developmental levels.
The experts discussed the findings of the 2020 Arab Sustainable Development Report, stressing the need to ensure sustainable water management as the clock ticks toward the 2030 deadline for achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
Other issues that the region is facing include declining quality of water, weak sanitation services, and the deterioration of the ecological system.
The report revealed that more than 87 million in the MENA region do not have access to decent sanitation services.
In addition, it indicated that the region is one of the most water-scarce areas in the world, with 19 countries facing water scarcity.
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Participants at the event have called for urgent and effective measures to enhance water management and guarantee water and sanitation rights for all.
Discussions also focused on the findings of a World Bank report which revealed that 82% of wastewater in the MENA region is not recycled.
Experts drew attention to the significant potential of treating wastewater as an unconventional water resource to meet the rising demand.
They stressed the need for innovative solutions and policy measures to encourage the safe reuse of treated wastewater in agriculture across the region.
