Water scarcity is not a distant concern; it is a current challenge with global ramifications. From Europe to Asia, governments and communities are grappling with an issue that threatens international security, contributing to humanitarian crises, social unrest, and even armed conflicts.
Alarmingly, this issue, in the time of climate change, is likely to grow ever more demanding. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global warming of 2 degrees Celsius could lead to a further 800 million to three billion people experiencing increased water scarcity. The gravity of this threat underscores the urgency for collaborative action to secure a sustainable future for all.
The UAE is directly impacted by the challenge of water scarcity. Situated in a dry, arid environment, the UAE has long prioritised effective water management, and has prioritised the implementation of a range of cutting-edge technologies that better support the sustainable use of this critical resource.
Our commitment to responsible management of water resources extends to global initiatives, where the UAE has endeavoured to play a leading role in addressing the urgent issue of water scarcity. During our hosting of COP28, the UAE sought to place the issue of water scarcity front and centre of policy debates. In this context, the UAE government urged nations to accelerate actions for water security and resilience, making water the first target in the Glasgow–Sharm el-Sheikh work programme on the Global Goal of Adaptation (GGA).
This initiative aims to significantly reduce climate-induced water scarcity and enhance resilience to water-related hazards. The Water Action Event at COP28 focused on supporting countries around the world to develop coherent national policies that integrate water planning, particularly in agriculture, for transformative climate outcomes. Notably, COP28’s Food, Agriculture, and Water Day saw key announcements, new partnerships, and financial commitments dedicated to tackling global water scarcity and food security. Furthermore, the UAE’s release of the discussion paper ‘Ripple Effect Water Scarcity — The Hidden Threat to Global Security and Prosperity’ underlined the gravity of the situation, emphasising the need for international collaboration and increased investment to confront the challenge effectively.
Building on these efforts, the UAE’s recent investment of $150 million in innovative solutions through the XPrize Water Scarcity competition further exemplifies our commitment to fostering actionable strategies to support countries throughout the world grappling with this issue. This transformative initiative seeks to ensure universal access to clean water by harnessing technological innovation.
The UAE is not alone in recognising the threat of water scarcity. India also experiences unique challenges on this issue. According to the World Bank, despite 18 per cent of the world’s population residing in India, the country contains only four per cent of global water resources. Commendable steps have been taken over recent years within India to mitigate this current and future challenge. From community-level efforts to better manage groundwater resources to national strategies, such as India’s National Water Policy 2020, it is clear that India shares the UAE’s concerns and interests with respect to addressing the challenge of water scarcity.
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To address these concerns and support our interests, our two countries must collaborate much more closely to mitigate issues relating to water scarcity. Together, the UAE and India have the knowledge and resources to foster innovative solutions that support a water secure future not only for our own communities, but also partners around the world.
In the face of the growing negative impact of water scarcity on agricultural production, joint efforts to develop solutions that support a much more stable food supply chain remain essential. By integrating water conservation measures into agricultural policies and practices, supporting sustainable future investment endeavours, and encouraging collaboration between our respective public and private sectors to foster innovative solutions, our two countries will be better able to mitigate the impact of water scarcity and enhance food security outcomes to our mutual benefit.
The urgent need for novel solutions to meet the threat of water scarcity necessitates collaboration and collective action. The UAE extends an open invitation to collaborate with stakeholders in India to explore and implement transformative ideas that will secure a sustainable water future for all. The time for decisive action is now, and together, we can ensure that water scarcity does not become a catalyst for conflict, but rather an impetus for unity and shared prosperity.
The writer is UAE’s ambassador to India
