Why the Arab Region Must Adopt the WEFE Nexus for Water Security

Water scarcity in the Arab region is often managed in isolation from energy, food, and ecosystem policies, a framework that is no longer sustainable.

If I could change one water policy, it would be making the integration of water governance into a regional Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus framework legally binding.  Fourteen of the world’s 20 most water-stressed countries are located in the Arab region. Climate change is projected to reduce renewable water resources by a fifth by 2030, and population growth is expected to increase food demand by 50%  by 2050. Fragmented and isolated policies will not meet these demands.

The cost of traditional water policies is evident, as they ignore systemic leaks. In Saudi Arabia, desalination meets demand, but consumes nearly 10% of its oil output, linking water security to unstable energy markets. In Egypt, 60% of irrigation water is wasted due to inefficiencies, while solar-powered systems remain sidelined.

The WEFE Nexus policies can offer valuable opportunities in terms of cost, innovation, and impact. A 2023 study by the International Food Policy Research Institute estimated that Nexus-aligned policies could save MENA economies $10 to $17 billion annually. The World Bank predicted that these policies could reduce water demand by 25% while boosting renewable energy capacity.

The WEFE Nexus isn’t theoretical; it is already working where implemented. The Chtouka desalination plant in Morocco, produces 275,000 m³ of renewable-powered desalinated water daily, supplying drinking water to nearly two million people and irrigating approximately 15,000 hectares, accounting for nearly 65% of Morocco's vegetable and fruit exports.

In Jordan, the As-Samra plant treats more than 365,000 m³ of wastewater daily, supplying a large proportion of Amman’s irrigation needs while meeting 80% of its energy requirements with biogas from sludge. In the United Arab Emirates, renewable-powered desalination pilots cut carbon emissions by almost 65%.

While these projects demonstrate what is possible when water, energy, food, and ecosystems are managed together, they remain the exception rather than the rule. Scaling them up requires political will, as governments need to coordinate across water and agriculture ministries, tying water budgets to renewable energy and agricultural targets.

We cannot continue to address each crisis in isolation. Climate change, population growth, food insecurity, and volatile energy markets are converging, and fragmented policies only multiply the risks.

The choice for us is either repeating cycles of crisis management or adopting policies that offer resilience and sustainability. By embedding the WEFE Nexus into law and practice, Arab governments can transform water from a source of vulnerability into the foundation of future security.

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