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Part of a series of development reports, this paper highlights the key challenges facing the Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA). In particular, it aims to show how water is integrated into the wider economic policies of the countries of the region and for that reason, it brings water issues to non-water specialists, addressing a multi-sectoral audience. It is argued that despite its diversity of landscapes and climates - from the snowy peaks of the Atlas mountains to the empty quarter of the Arabian peninsula - most of the region’s countries cannot meet current water demand. It is estimated that per capita water availability will fall by half by 2050, with serious consequences for the region’s already-stressed aquifers and natural hydrological systems. A series of technical and policy changes to the water sector in most MENA countries is needed if the countries are to accelerate their progress in the water policy arena and avoid the economic and social hardships that might otherwise occur. Potential solutions to the region’s water problems are well known but have often not been implemented because of constraints in the broader political economy. However, the authors assert, water need not be a constraint to economic development and social stability in MENA. Strong and diversified economies are themselves likely to give governments more political space for the reforms necessary to improve water management. Key actions that could be undertaken include:
planning that integrates water quality and considers the entire water system including the promotion of demand management and irrigation, strengthening of government agencies, decentralising responsibility for delivering water services to financially autonomous utilities, and stronger enforcement of environmental regulations
developing measures that improve accountability for water planning and services tend to push the political economy toward more sustainable water management. These measures add information to the decision making process, give service providers incentives to improve performance, and reduce the chances that small groups will benefit disproportionately
evaluate the level and efficiency of public expenditure on water: Ministries of finance, economy, planning, trade, and agriculture need to know how much public money is spent on water and whether it is spent efficiently
define goals for public spending and cost recovery: governments, through the political process, determine the level of public spending on water that is appropriate for their circumstances. Governments can reduce public expenditure without reducing investment or services while recovering the costs from the beneficiaries.
