Arab Ministers Unite to Address Water and Food Security Challenges

Arab water and agriculture ministers from 15 countries, including Jordan and Egypt, convened in Cairo for the third joint ministerial meeting under the theme "Institutional Coordination and Policy Coherence to Achieve Water and Food Security in the Arab Region." The meeting aimed to address the pressing issues of water scarcity, climate change, and regional conflicts affecting the Arab world's water resources. Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Soud highlighted the region's exposure to global warming, worsening water scarcity, and resource depletion, citing UN studies showing that 18 Arab states are below the extreme water poverty line and 22 are among the world's most water-deprived countries.

Key Takeaways:

• The Arab world faces challenging water resources, with 60% of its water sources originating beyond Arab borders, and 90% of the Arab population suffering from water scarcity.
• Climate change poses significant threats to the region, including drought, desertification, and land degradation, exacerbating water scarcity and food insecurity.
• Minister Abu Soud emphasized the need for collective action to develop joint Arab water initiatives, raise awareness on water conservation, strengthen governance, and integrate water, food, and environmental security efforts.
• The delegates discussed the importance of effective policies promoting integrated management of Arab water resources, digitalizing water institutions, and establishing sound administrative practices.
• The meeting underlined the need to adopt unconventional water resources, develop a joint strategy to ensure Arab water security, and integrate food, water, energy, and environmental systems.
• Jordan's National Water Carrier project to desalinate Red Sea water and promote water awareness was highlighted as a successful model for community and private sector partnerships.
• Egyptian Minister Hani Sewilam stressed the interconnectedness of food, water, and environmental challenges, calling for institutional mechanisms to integrate water, food, and agriculture policies and develop information systems.

Statistics:

• 60% of Arab water sources originate beyond Arab borders.
• 18 Arab states are below the extreme water poverty line.
• 22 Arab states are among the world's most water-deprived countries.
• 90% of the Arab population suffers from water scarcity.
• 15 countries participated in the third joint ministerial meeting.

Sources:

• Jordan News Agency, "Abu Soud, Egyptian Minister Sewilam Inaugurate Third Joint Arab Water and Agriculture Ministers Meeting." Oct. 15, 2025