jordan pulse -

By:Ahmad Abdelbaset Rjoub

Water Strategy Expert

On March 22, 2025, the world will celebrate World Water Day under the theme "Preserving Glaciers," reflecting the importance of safeguarding these vital water sources that are threatened by climate change. This day is not just an occasion to highlight the crucial role water plays in human life but also an urgent call for joint action to tackle the water crisis that increasingly jeopardizes the future of generations to come.

(1) Challenges of Melting Glaciers
Glaciers are melting faster than ever before due to global warming, which raises temperatures on the Earth's surface. This climate change directly affects the water cycle, resulting in alterations to water flows caused by glacial melt. These changes lead to many negative effects such as floods, droughts, landslides, and rising sea levels. These impacts affect billions of people worldwide, causing destruction to numerous communities and ecosystems.
By adapting to the effects of climate change, we can protect lives and reduce the impacts of water-related changes. However, this requires us to act quickly to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which will help slow the process of glacial retreat and protect natural water sources from rapid degradation.

(2) Water and Climate Change: Ongoing Challenges
The intersection of water and climate change has become a critical issue. Global reports indicate that over two billion people do not have access to safe drinking water, a number that is expected to rise due to the deterioration of water resources caused by climate change. Additionally, many regions, especially in developing countries, suffer from a lack of water suitable for daily use. As global demand for water increases, it is expected to double by 2040, putting growing pressure on water resources.

(3) Water Conflicts:
A. The Middle East Situation
Water, or "blue gold" as it is called, has become one of the most strategic issues in the Middle East, particularly in countries suffering from water scarcity, such as Jordan and Syria. In this context, Israel's occupation of Quneitra in the occupied Golan Heights in December 2024, after the collapse of Assad's government, and its increasing control over the region’s water dams, directly threatens the water security of neighboring countries, especially Jordan, which relies heavily on shared water sources with Syria.
Water conflicts present a serious threat in many regions around the world, especially in the Middle East. Amid ongoing conflicts, controlling water resources has become one of the key factors fueling crises. A notable example is the ongoing conflict over the Yarmouk and Jordan Rivers, where Israeli occupation policies have reduced Jordan's share of water, further complicating the region's water crisis. The Israeli occupation of areas such as the Golan Heights has also contributed to indirect control over the Yarmouk River’s water flow, endangering Jordan’s vital water supplies.

B. The Political and Economic Dimension of the Water Crisis
Water conflicts are one of the major challenges facing many countries, particularly in the Middle East. From disputes over the Yarmouk and Jordan Rivers to the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam conflict between Egypt and Ethiopia, to water conflicts over the Euphrates River between Turkey, Iraq, and Syria, there is an urgent need for international cooperation to resolve these issues and ensure fair access to water. Control over water resources exacerbates humanitarian crises and heightens regional tensions.
Water is not just a natural commodity; it is a cornerstone for political and economic security. In many water-scarce regions, water has become a primary factor in triggering political conflicts and tensions between nations. This makes water resource management a matter of strategic importance.
Economically, the ongoing water crisis will put increasing pressure on vital sectors such as agriculture, industry, and energy. The deterioration of water resources will reduce agricultural productivity, deepening the food security crisis, especially as many countries are seeing an increase in the demand for water for irrigation and farming. Industries dependent on water, such as clean energy production, will also face significant challenges.

(4) Water Issues in the Arab World
Water issues in the Arab world are among the most prominent challenges faced by Arab countries, especially concerning transboundary shared waters. Here is a brief overview of these issues:

1. The Nile River: The Nile River is a major water source for Egypt and Sudan and faces significant challenges due to the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which has raised concerns in Egypt and Sudan about a reduction in their water share. This dispute requires fair agreements to ensure equitable use of Nile waters.
2. The Euphrates River: The Euphrates River flows through Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. With Turkey constructing large dams on the river, such as the Ataturk Dam, there have been concerns about the reduced water flow to Iraq and Syria, affecting agriculture and water resources in these countries.
3. The Yarmouk River: The Yarmouk River forms the border between Jordan and Syria and suffers from challenges due to construction projects in Syria, in addition to environmental degradation and reduced rainfall. Israel's control over vital water resources in the Yarmouk River basin, including the strategic Al-Wahda Dam, heightens tensions in the region. Recent reports indicate that Israel now controls about 40% of the shared water resources between Syria and Jordan. This step is part of Israel’s expansion of its occupation of Syrian territories.
4. The Jordan River: The Jordan River flows between Palestine, Jordan, and Syria and is one of the key rivers in the region's political disputes. It affects relations between Israel and Arab countries due to Israel’s water policies. Since 1964, Israel has been operating a pumping station to divert water from Lake Tiberias to its national water carrier, supplying occupied areas with water for agriculture and domestic use, particularly in Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine, hindering the achievement of agreements regarding water shares. Today, 70-90% of the river's water is used for human purposes, and the flow has significantly decreased. As a result, the Dead Sea is shrinking rapidly due to high evaporation rates and industrial salt extraction.
5. The Senegal River: This river is shared by several countries, including Algeria, Mauritania, and Senegal. It poses challenges in water cooperation between these countries, which need to regulate water use jointly to avoid disputes and ensure sustainable development in the region.

(5) Conclusion: The Political and Economic Dimension
Celebrating World Water Day 2025 is not merely a symbolic occasion but an urgent call for international cooperation. Governments and international institutions must adopt effective policies to ensure the sustainable management of water resources and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Cooperation between countries in water management can contribute to enhancing political and economic stability and achieving sustainable development. By collectively committing to protect glaciers and water sources, we can build a better future for generations to come and ensure everyone’s right to access clean water.
World Water Day 2025 arrives at a critical moment as the world faces significant challenges linked to the effects of climate change on water resources. The crisis will continue to worsen unless swift action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect glaciers. Governments must take effective steps to address water conflicts and adopt sustainable water policies that promote cooperation between countries to prevent further crises.