Fri 08 September 2023:
Saudi Arabia has launched an international body that will fund and promote water sustainability projects in developing nations. Riyadh warned that world water consumption is set to double in the coming decades.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the initiative on Monday, with the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) noting that the new Riyadh-based Global Water Organization plans to “exchange expertise, advance technology, foster innovation, and share research and development experiences” in the fields of water and sanitation.
WATER INSECURITY POSES 1 OF BIGGEST THREATS TO HUMANITY: REPORT
According to findings by the United Nations published in March, around 2 billion people currently lack access to safe drinking water – or 26% of the world’s population – while between 2 and 3 billion face water scarcity for at least one month out of the year. Another 3.6 billion do not enjoy proper sanitation services, the UN said, warning the problems will only worsen in the future with “the growing incidence of extreme and prolonged droughts.”
The organization aims to integrate and enhance the efforts made by governments and organizations in securing global water sustainably. It plans to exchange expertise, advance technology, foster innovation, and share research and development experiences. Moreover, it will promote the establishment and funding of high-priority projects, ensuring the sustainability of water resources and their accessibility for everyone.
IRANIAN GOVERNMENT CUTS WATER FLOW OF ‘VITAL RIVER’ INTO CRISIS-HIT IRAQ
By initiating the establishment of the organization, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emphasizes its commitment to addressing global water supply challenges. The initiative is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s dedication to environmental sustainability. Over the years, the Kingdom has showcased notable achievements in water production, transportation, and distribution, leveraging locally developed innovative solutions.
These achievements have been internationally recognized. Additionally, Saudi Arabia plays a key role in ensuring that global water issues remain a top priority on the international agenda. This is further evidenced by the Kingdom’s developmental funding, with over $6 billion allocated to various water and sanitation projects across four continents.
AFGHANISTAN AND IRAN EXCHANGE HEAVY CROSS-BORDER FIRE OVER WATER DISPUTES
The organization aims to collaborate with countries facing water-related challenges and those prioritizing such projects on their national agendas. This collaboration will also involve countries with significant expertise and contributions to water solutions. Such cooperation becomes even more vital with projections of the global water demand doubling by 2050, in light of the anticipated growth of the world population to 9.8 billion.
The Kingdom, with all of the organization’s member countries, seeks to contribute to achieving the water security-related sustainable development goals, creating an integrated and long-lasting impact by bringing the international community together to ensure global water sustainability for humanity.
UN CHIEF WARNS OF ‘VAMPIRIC OVERCONSUMPTION’ OF WATER RESOURCES
Though Riyadh has allocated some $6 billion to water projects around the world, the government said it hopes to collaborate with other countries facing “water-related challenges,” going on to cite projections that global water demand will double by 2050. It added that it would also look to work alongside nations with “significant expertise and contributions to water solutions,” but did not mention any partners by name.
MANY AREAS OF INDIA ARE BATTLING WATER SHORTAGES AS THE COUNTRY EXPERIENCES AN INTENSE HEAT WAVE
Saudi Arabia has embarked on a number of sustainability projects in recent years. The crown prince announced last November that Saudi Arabia would contribute $2.5 billion to the Middle East Green Initiative over the next decade. Endorsed by Russia, China, the US, and a number of other nations, the environmental effort seeks regional cooperation on reducing carbon emissions in an effort to fight climate change.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
______________________________________________________________
FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:
TWITTER (CLICK HERE)
https://twitter.com/IpIndependent
FACEBOOK (CLICK HERE)
https://web.facebook.com/ipindependent
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
