Alicia Dauth’s Post

Insightful read on the potential conflicts over shared water resources in the Arab region 💦 Water scarcity has long been a critical challenge globally, but its implications for geopolitical stability and cooperation in water-rich vs. water-scarce nations are especially pronounced in the Arab world. This article highlights the urgent need for innovative water management strategies and regional collaboration to address these challenges. Leveraging technology and cross-border agreements can play pivotal roles in ensuring sustainable water use and preventing conflict. I believe leaders and stakeholders in the region must prioritize water diplomacy. #waterscarcity #watermanagement #waterrisk #waterresources #waterdiplomacy Alicia Dauth Jonathan Hirasawa Ashton

Azerbaijan facing growing water shortage crisis #bne #bneEditorsPicks #bneGreen #ClimateCrisis #ESG #Azerbaijan Azerbaijan’s ongoing water scarcity crisis has reached a critical point, exacerbated by years of inadequate infrastructure, mismanagement, and the mounting pressures of climate change, Global Voices reported on September 3. Despite repeated government pledges to address the issue, the situation continues to deteriorate, with severe consequences for both rural and urban populations.

We have signed a Contract with the Water Development Department to Revise the Cyprus Water Policy as it has been enacted by the Council of Ministers in 2011. Revising the Cyprus Water Policy, involves initially analysing the current situation of water supply and demand in all water services and uses, through the collection, evaluation and analysis of available information and data. Consequently, water supply and demand up to 2050 will be determined considering the impacts of climate change and taking into account the most creditable climate change scenarios as projected for the Southeast Mediterranean region. Moreover, a review of the performance of the major water projects of the Water Development Department as it was foreseen at their design and expansion phase will be elaborated. Further on, recommendations on opportunities to manage water demand, and for necessary water infrastructure expansion projects if deemed necessary will be justified, together with other management measures and guidelines to all Water Management Units aiming at the optimal management of the water resources and for balancing supply and demand up to the year 2050. The expected benefits from the upcoming Revision of the Cyprus Water Policy are summed up as follows: - Appropriate planning based on the estimation of the water balance for the optimal coverage of the current and the future water demand. - Assessment of the potential climate change risks on the water balance, enhancing thus Resilience of the Water Resources Sector and Adaptation to Climate Change. - Rational and sustainable management of Cyprus's water resources, especially during periods of drought. - Reduction of water losses with a corresponding increase in revenue. - Enhanced Water Demand Management regime. Considering the #drought periods that Cyprus has been experiencing more frequently the last years, which become more intense due to Climate Change effects reducing the productivity of the conventional water resources of the island, along with the increasing demand for water mainly due to population and tourism growth coupled with the effects of Climate Change in the demand side as well, the Revision of the Water Policy becomes imperative in order to make the Water Sector resilient to the current and upcoming challenges.  #WaterPolicy #ClimateChange #WaterManagement #WaterResources #ClimateChangeAdaptation

Libyan cities are expanding much faster than the government could keep up. Infrastructure is crumbling, cities are depleting water sources, sewage is discharged into the sea or flooding entire cities, and the Green Belt protecting the country from sandstorms is being destroyed. In face of this, Libya's authorities have no strategy to counter these problems, leaving the country and the population vulnerable. Storm Daniel was just one example of this.   In our latest Luiss Mediterranean Platform research paper, Malak Altaeb and Omar Sheira highlight the water, agriculture, climate, and pollution challenges facing Libya today. They also review what is is being done and what could be done to respond to these challenges more efficiently. Read the English version here: https://bit.ly/45beT8U  

A 6 min worth reading about water scarcity and water management.

CAN WATER SECURITY IN ASIA BE ENSURED? If one picks up a newspaper any day, in any Asian city, there is likely to be at least one report on #water: either too much or too little water, poor water quality or environmental, social and economic aspects of water. #ClimateChange is making water management increasingly complex in all the #AsianCountries. While water professionals and the media often extensively discuss national and international water crises, all water problems and their solutions are local. For over four decades, water professionals and policymakers have known there are no universally applicable solutions. Even then most national and international institutions are still adopting universal solutions to water problems. Not surprisingly, such approaches have not solved the water problems of the various Asian countries. The water problems that various Asian countries are facing are very different, contexts are also different and their solutions are highly likely to differ from one country to another, and even from one part of a country to another. Asia’s water problems are solvable, provided two important conditions are met. First, water problems must receive strong and continuous support from national leaders. Second, each country has to develop solutions that reflect its national characteristics. See our views https://bit.ly/3BpnFoV

"The situation [in Gaza] is extremely alarming. Before October 7, Gaza’s environment was already very precarious. Years of Israeli bombing campaigns, Israeli and Egyptian import restrictions, and dysfunctional governance had led to chronic electricity shortages and delayed the construction of essential facilities. Access to clean water was critically low, with Gaza dependent on three pipelines from Israel and 97 percent of drinking water was contaminated and unsafe. Waste and water management infrastructure was already fragile, which resulted in uncontrolled burning of waste in landfills, polluted air and soil, and groundwater contamination from waste leakage.   But during the war, environmental degradation in Gaza has worsened exponentially: as Israel’s bombardment destroys infrastructure, an inordinate amount of toxic dust has been released into the air, and wastewater management has entirely collapsed due to the shortage of fuel." --> Read more in this interview with Dr. Mariam Abd El Hay, researcher and author of our Center for Applied Environmental Diplomacy's report on the Environmental-Humanitarian Impacts of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

🌍 Water for Peace and Prosperity: A Call to Action from the UN 🌊 Today, I’m sharing an impactful report from the United Nations that underscores the critical importance of water in building a peaceful and prosperous future. The UN’s "Water for Peace and Prosperity" report highlights water’s unique role in bridging divides, promoting cooperation, and driving sustainable development worldwide. As global challenges mount—from climate change to increasing resource scarcity—this report reminds us that water is not just a resource; it's a foundation for resilience, community, and shared progress. By ensuring equitable access, fostering trans-boundary cooperation, and investing in sustainable water management, we create a ripple effect that fosters stability and prosperity. In Egypt, where water scarcity is a growing concern, the report resonates deeply with our mission to enhance water security. This is a call to all sectors—government, civil society, and private organizations—to work together and champion solutions that secure water for generations to come. 📌 Let's strive for a world where water nurtures peace, not conflict. Explore the report and let’s commit to actionable strategies that can make this vision a reality. #UN #WaterForPeace #SustainableDevelopment #WaterSecurity #CooperationForGood #ClimateAction

North African communities have a long history of water management and governance. From millennia-old underground water channels and other methods of water storage and collection, to 20th century dam and hydropower projects, humans have long intervened in the region’s hydrologic cycle. Such infrastructure and water management techniques reflect the historic importance of the careful conservation and transportation of water in North Africa.

💧 #Groundwater can provide key relief during dry periods. ☀️ Because it is hidden deep underground we often assume that it is protected from #pollution and changes in climate. Yet, researchers from the University of Nairobi as part of REACH | Water Security, have found that groundwater in #Kenya's #Turkana County, supporting nearly one million people, is highly vulnerable to #climatevariability and human #contamination. Discover how their research has supported new policy & practice to improve groundwater resilience: