Water is life” is such a popular phrase that we use it almost as a cliché. But that same expression is one of the most powerful calls-to-action to swiftly and effectively ensure the sustainable management of water and sanitation for all (SDG6). Water is at the heart of sustainable development and is critical for socio-economic development, healthy ecosystems and human dignity. Water is also at the core of climate adaptation, serving as the crucial link between the climate system, livelihood and the environment. As highlighted in the recent World Bank report: Uncharted Waters: The New Economics of Water Scarcity and Variability, the changing climate will bring about more droughts and floods with increasing consequences on farms, firms and households.

However, despite major efforts from various countries, reports show that the world is off track in achieving the sustainable development goal on water. The situation is so tenuous that the Global Risk Report 2020 from the World Economic Forum has ranked “water crises” as the world’s top risks with regard to its impact and likelihood.

Arab World’s Looming Water Crisis: The Urgent Need for Action. The water crisis is already evident in the Arab region, varying in scale and intensity at different times of the year.

The Beyond Scarcity: Water Security in the Middle East and North Africa report shows how Arab countries have been facing great pressure due to population growth and climate change, with more than 60% of the population affected by high or very high water stress, compared to a global average of about 35%. The same report shows how the region is home to six percent of the world's population, yet contains just one percent of the world's freshwater resources. Two-thirds of all fresh water resources originate outside the region, resulting in countries’ dependence on shared water supplies.

Climate change is impacting the water cycle, food security and vulnerable communities. It also has socio-economic implications, potentially jeopardizing sustainable development and progress made in ending poverty in the region. The High and Dry: Climate Change, Water, and the Economy report assesses that the Arab region has the greatest expected economic loss from climate-related water scarcity, estimated at 6–14 percent of GDP by 2050 . Moreover, an estimated one billion people living in dry regions will not have access to water.

Read The Five I’s to Leapfrog in Achieving Water Security and Sustainable Development following the link to the World Bank Blog page