Zaid M. Belbagi

The Middle East and North Africa region’s battle against water scarcity has never been more urgent. As climate change escalates, with rising temperatures and frequent droughts, the region finds itself at the forefront of global efforts toward innovative water solutions.

The Innovation-Driven Water Sustainability Conference, held this month in Jeddah, highlighted Saudi Arabia’s role in leading desalination and water innovation efforts across the region. With water scarcity in the Arab world reaching critical levels, governments are investing in bold initiatives and partnerships, positioning MENA countries as global pioneers in water security.

Water scarcity has long been a pressing challenge for major MENA countries, exacerbated by unpredictable weather patterns. Governments in the region are responding with ambitious investments and are planning to nearly double current desalination capacity by 2030. The region, which already accounts for a staggering 60 percent of global desalination capacity, aims to raise investments from $39.3 billion in 2022 to $100 billion by 2030. This drive is a response to the mounting global demand for freshwater, which is expected to surge by up to 25 percent by 2050. The region’s population is projected to grow by 30 percent between 2020 and 2050, intensifying the pressure on already-strained water supplies.

Saudi Arabia, leading the charge, is set to increase its desalination capacity by 10 percent, reaching 17.8 million cubic meters per day by 2030. Today, desalination is a........

© The Frontier Post