The Political Economy of Water in the MENA Region: A Cross-Regional Assessment

This project aims to investigate the challenges faced by countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in their attempts to achieve water security – that is, the availability of adequate supplies of water of acceptable quality. To this end, it will look at a range of factors, including the effectiveness (or otherwise) of governments, climate change, population growth, pollution and the unsustainable consumption of groundwater. The project will identify ‘hot-spots’ of water insecurity and the problems specific to these sub-regions, countries and socio-economic groups.

The research will also examine the prospects for constructive cooperation over water among MENA states. Where those prospects seem poor, it will assess the likelihood of increased tension or even conflict between states.

Finally, this research will suggest what the UK might realistically do to help MENA governments better address these challenges.

This research is funded by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Science Research Council.

_{Ait Bouguemez irrigated valley, High Atlas, Morocco (C) Thierry Ruf/IRD, Flickr.}