Dubai is set to host the World Government Summit (WGS) in 2023, where leaders from around the world will gather to discuss pressing global issues. One topic that is likely to be at the forefront of the agenda is the water scarcity and air pollution crisis facing the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region.
According to the World Bank President, David Malpass, the MENA region is facing an unprecedented water scarcity and air pollution crisis. Speaking ahead of the WGS 2023, he called on countries in the region to take urgent action to address the issue.
“The Mena region is facing unprecedented droughts, water scarcity, desertification, coastal erosion, and air pollution. This crisis requires a new way of thinking, innovative solutions and the right institutions to implement them. Current and future governments need to balance complex goals,” said David Malpass, president of the World Bank Group.
Malpass highlighted the need for government-owned firms in the region to become more market-oriented and financially strong, in order to support investments in clean energy and water infrastructure. He emphasized that investing in renewable energy and water management technologies can help create jobs and boost economic growth in the region.
The World Bank President also stressed the importance of regional cooperation in tackling the water scarcity and air pollution crisis, citing the successful example of the partnership between Jordan and Israel in the Red Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance Project.
The Red Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance Project is a joint effort between Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian Authority, which aims to transfer water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea through a pipeline. The project will help alleviate the water scarcity crisis in Jordan and create a sustainable source of water for the region.
Malpass encouraged other countries in the region to adopt similar collaborative approaches to tackling the water scarcity and air pollution crisis, stressing that the issue requires a collective effort and innovative solutions.
The WGS 2023 is expected to be a platform for leaders and experts to discuss solutions to global challenges, such as climate change, economic inequality, and technological disruption. The event is set to bring together top government officials, international organizations, academics, and business leaders from around the world.
The MENA region is facing an unprecedented water scarcity and air pollution crisis, which requires urgent action and innovative solutions. The World Bank President has called on countries in the region to take steps to address the issue by making government-owned firms more market-oriented and financially strong, and by investing in renewable energy and water management technologies. The WGS 2023 is expected to be a vital platform for leaders and experts to discuss and address these critical global issues.
Avoid protectionism
The President of the World Bank has emphasized the importance of stable currencies in facilitating private capital flows, foreign direct investment, and trade. In this regard, he has urged countries to promote trade facilitation while avoiding protectionist measures, such as export bans on food and fertilizers and local content requirements, which can hinder trade and harm poor consumers in low-income food-importing countries.
He has also emphasized the need for countries to encourage more investment to create jobs, increase output, and boost production, thus promoting growth and consumption. Furthermore, the President has called on governments to integrate climate and development by increasing energy access and speeding up the transition to lower carbon energy.
