GCC Secretary General prioritizes regional water security

GCC Secretary General Jassim Mohammed Albudaiwi has identified water security as a strategic priority for Gulf Cooperation Council member states. Speaking at a session organized by the United Arab Emirates permanent mission to the United Nations in New York, Albudaiwi emphasized that water security is inextricably linked to human security, economic prosperity, food security, and energy security.

He noted that while water scarcity has been a long-standing challenge for the Gulf region, it has driven member states to invest in innovation, desalination, water reuse, and demand management. Albudaiwi stressed that technology alone is insufficient and called for enhanced regional cooperation. He highlighted ongoing efforts to explore and develop regional water interconnection networks to bolster supply security and improve collective emergency response to water crises.

Addressing global pressures, he noted that climate change, population growth, and economic shifts are increasing the strain on water systems worldwide. He argued that shared water challenges require collective solutions to build trust, reduce vulnerabilities, and create economic opportunities.