It is expected that by 2050 all the Arab countries, except Mauritania, Iraq and Sudan, will be experiencing water scarcity. More than half of the water resources originate from outside the region. For example, Egypt and Mauritania are over 97% dependant on freshwater originating from outside the country. Paradoxically, important rivers such as the Nile, the Senegal, the Tigris and the Euphrates flow through the region.

In general terms, the continued failure to resolve long-standing political tensions in the region is a major factor in limiting effective water management and hence sustainable development in the region. Nonetheless, regional cooperation and information exchange on water resources has always been strong, and regional integration will be reinforced by the recent creation of the Arab Water Council (AWC), a non-governmental regional body.

Source: World Water Forum Mexico, PDF file, http://www.worldwaterforum.org/uploads/TBL_PROOMS_472_47.%20Los%20países%20(inglés).doc.pdf, 20 Mar 2006

Tags: governance, water resources management