UAE Highlights Commitment To Water Security At Arab Water Forum

Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), emphasised the significance of the Arab Water Forum in Abu Dhabi. He stated that it serves as a crucial platform to highlight the importance of water conservation. The UAE remains dedicated to promoting awareness about water preservation and achieving water security and sustainability.

Al Olama pointed out that the UAE has made significant strides in conserving water resources through innovative projects like desalination plants. He stressed the nation's eagerness to collaborate with international partners to enhance global water security. "In the UAE, water is one of the most important national priority issues, given our geographical location in an arid area, the scarcity of our natural water resources, and the high demand for water for development purposes," he said.

In 2017, the Ministry introduced the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036. This strategy aims to ensure sustainable access to water during both normal and emergency conditions. Key objectives include reducing total demand for water resources by 21%, lowering the water scarcity index by three degrees, and increasing treated water reuse to 95%.

The UAE has also launched several initiatives to manage its water resources better. These include supporting strategic water reserves and enhancing rainwater harvesting efficiency. Advanced technical solutions are being adopted to use wastewater for crop irrigation, which helps reduce environmental pollution and conserve natural water resources.

"Non-conventional water resources contribute 53% of our water supply," Al Olama noted. This includes desalinated seawater and treated wastewater. The UAE is committed to increasing reliance on these non-traditional sources to produce fresh drinking water and meet other needs.

The National Energy and Water Demand Management Programme 2050 was also introduced. This programme aims to rationalise water consumption while improving energy and water plants' environmental performance and efficiency.

Efforts in Wastewater Treatment

Discussing irrigation efforts, Al Olama mentioned that the UAE primarily relies on wastewater treatment plants. There are over 140 such plants, including those operated by private entities. These facilities have a combined capacity of 3 million cubic metres per day, producing 768 million cubic metres of treated wastewater annually used for landscape irrigation.

A United Nations report highlighted that the UAE has achieved an average of 100% in providing safe drinking water and sanitation services. Additionally, it scored 79% in integrated water resources management, one of the highest in the region. The country aims to improve these results by aligning its strategies for water, energy, environment, and food.

Hydrogeological Mapping Achievements

Al Olama announced a significant milestone: the first hydrogeological map and geo-database of the UAE. This achievement aids in documenting and managing water sources effectively with a focus on sustainability and conservation.

"We work diligently to increase reliance on non-conventional water resources to produce fresh water for drinking and other purposes," Al Olama added. These efforts are crucial given the country's arid climate and limited natural freshwater sources.

The UAE believes innovation and international cooperation are vital for sustainable water management. By adopting advanced strategies, it aims to improve resource management while supporting strategic reserves.

The Arab Water Forum continues to be an essential venue for discussing these critical issues. Through such platforms, nations can share knowledge and collaborate on solutions for global challenges related to water security.

With inputs from WAM