With the conclusion of the COP29, the Global Water Economy Committee revealed its latest statistics on the global water crisis.
According to the Azerbaijani agency "Report," the committee stated in its calculations that the water crisis threatening global food production could lead to losses in global GDP ranging between 8% and 15% by 2050.
Micky van Ginneken, the Dutch Special Envoy for Water, stated this during the water-related actions and solutions event at the conclusion of the 29th Conference of the Parties. She pointed out that the Baku Declaration constitutes an important step toward incorporating water into the global climate agenda. Each of us must now advance this process, she said.
Geniken stated: "Countries are implementing innovative technologies to protect and restore wetlands, lakes, and rivers from risks such as irregular rainfall and rising sea levels, among others."
Water and emission absorption
Freshwater ecosystems play a key role in absorbing carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming and making our communities resilient to climate disasters.
But the delicate balance between the availability of water and the habitats that keep it clean and provide it is under increasing pressure due to climate change, and it often receives little attention during international climate talks.
Baku Water Dialogue
This is expected to change with the conclusion of the COP29. According to a statement from the United Nations on its official website, on Thursday, November 21, the Azerbaijani presidency of the COP29 launched the Baku Water Dialogue for Climate Action, an official series of discussions to be held annually during the UN Climate Summit, developed with the support of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
These dialogues will bring together governments, companies, and other groups to ensure that water remains at the heart of negotiations on climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Abu Dhabi at COP29: innovative experience
As part of the COP29 events, the UAE pavilion hosted a discussion session titled "Water and Climate Change: Desalination Technologies, Renewable Energy, and Sustainable Management," which brought together prominent entities such as the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, the Mohammed bin Zayed Water Initiative, and the International Desalination and Water Reuse Society, according to the UAE News Agency.
The session focused on the challenges of water scarcity, which is considered one of the most prominent global issues due to the impacts of climate change, along with a review of the latest technologies used in desalination and the importance of integrating renewable energy in this field.
The participants also discussed ways to enhance international cooperation to achieve innovative and sustainable solutions to ensure long-term water security.
Engineer Ahmed Mohammed Al-Rumaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Energy in Abu Dhabi, pointed out that addressing these challenges requires adopting a strategic approach based on modern technology and fruitful cooperation between governments, sector leaders, and financial institutions.
He explained that Abu Dhabi is an exemplary model in supporting innovation in the field of water desalination and reuse, in addition to adopting best practices in water resource management. He emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation and exchanging expertise to disseminate these solutions and ensure the sustainability of water resources in the future.
Mohammed bin Zayed Water Initiative
In the same context, Aisha Al-Ateiqi, a representative of the Mohammed bin Zayed Water Initiative, stated that water scarcity represents an increasing challenge that threatens global security and stability, necessitating an immediate and coordinated response from the international community.
The progress in addressing the issue of water scarcity, she added, shows positive results, but the challenge still exists and calls for doubling efforts, accelerating technological innovation, and adopting technological solutions on a larger scale.
The initiative also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting global efforts by providing innovative technologies and highlighting the importance of the issue in international forums.
For her part, Shannon K. McCarthy, the Secretary-General of the International Desalination and Water Reuse Society, emphasized the importance of innovative technological solutions, such as desalination and water reuse, to address water scarcity, especially in light of climate change and natural disasters the world is witnessing.
