The Director General of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, reviewed a number of factors that contribute to ensuring water security, notably leadership support, sustainable water resource management, and the development of strategies and policies to ensure their long-term sustainability, taking into account the effects of population growth and urbanization. The development of innovative solutions that benefit from enormous technological developments, the integration of clean energy and water production, the rational consumption of resource conservation, the involvement of the private sector in the development of innovations to enhance the supply of Improve efficiency and improve the quality of water services.
"Water-related crises have been one of the top five global threats in terms of their impact on the ground over the past few years," said Al Tayer during a session titled "The Future of Global Water Security and Sustainability" as part of the second day of the World Summit for Governments. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals 2030 provide for "ensuring the availability of water and sanitation for all". Water is the cornerstone of economic and social development. Water security is a global challenge, given the growing population and economic growth, with water scarcity affecting more than 40% of the world's population.
"Globally, more than 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and the world is expected to face a 40 percent reduction in projected demand and available water supplies by 2030. The Middle East and North Africa region is the most water scarce region Globally, more than 60% of the population lives in areas with a high or very high level of surface water stress, compared to the global average of around 35%. " He added that the Gulf region is one of the regions facing challenges in rainfall rates, while the UAE produces 14% of desalinated water in the world.