Governing the Nile Equitably and Sustainably: a comparative analysis based on principles of international water law

Water is an essential resource necessary for human survival, socio-economic development and environmental preservation. It serves the most basic human needs, from ensuring energy and food security to sustaining the ecosystems on which we directly or indirectly depend. Despite being labelled the blue planet, the Earth is facing increasing water scarcity —particularly in the Arab world. The region covers ten per cent of the world’s area, yet receives just 2.1 per cent of annual global precipitation, leaving the majority of its communities in water poverty. Parallel to a population increase of over 80 million over the past 10 years, the regions’ demand for water, food and energy has been rising. Furthermore, economic development has come hand in hand with urbanisation, growing demand for water-intensive products and excessive farming. In conjunction with global warming and desertification of the region, the use of aggressive fertilisers and altered water flows have led to further deterioration of water quality and quantity. In 2010, 18 per cent of the region’s population lacked access to clean water, with severe consequences most felt by impoverished and marginalised groups, especially women. However, some countries in the region have a high record of satisfying the water needs of their populations, compared with many others. The reasons for this are explored later in the chapter.