Riyadh, KSA – Dr. Majed Abu Zrieg, Director of the Water Diplomacy Center (WDC) at Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), participated in The Water Arabia Conference titled 'Sustainable Development in the Arab Region: Challenges and Opportunities for the Sixth Goal.' The conference was held from November 22 to 23, 2023, in Saudi Arabia, and during his keynote address, Dr. Abu Zrieg emphasized the vital role of water diplomacy in achieving the sixth sustainable development goal. The conference assembled a consortium of influential figures, researchers, and decision-makers committed to addressing the critical challenges surrounding sustainable water resources in the Arab region.
The Arab nations face a pressing issue of water scarcity due to geographical, geological, and climatic conditions, significantly hindering social and economic development efforts. Dr. Abu Zrieg highlighted the urgency of confronting these challenges by leveraging the Water Diplomacy Center as a pivotal platform for fostering cooperation, facilitating research, and providing essential training in water diplomacy across the Middle East/West Asia and North Africa.
At the heart of the conference discussions were pivotal themes aimed at addressing the multifaceted aspects of sustainable water management, including the Water Sector in Saudi Arabia, modern financing methods for water projects, integrated management of water resources and its challenges, and aligning strategies for Arab water security.
The Water Arabia Conference served as a platform to unite researchers, industry leaders, investors, and decision-makers to collectively tackle environmental issues concerning water scarcity in the Arab world. The participation of specialized companies from both governmental and private sectors underscored the collective commitment to finding sustainable solutions for water resource management.
The event concluded with a consensus on the imperative need for collaborative efforts, aligned strategies, and innovative approaches to mitigate water scarcity challenges and achieve sustainable development in the Arab region.
