The GCC Unified Water Strategy (UWS) represents a coordinated regional effort to address the growing challenges facing water resource management in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. It provides a forward-looking, cooperative roadmap for achieving water security, economic resilience, and environmental sustainability across the Gulf region. Its overall goal is to ensure that by the year 2035, the region will have achieved a sustainable, efficient, equitable, and secure water management system that supports the broader goals of long-term socioeconomic development. The Vision at the basis of the Strategy envisages a future in which GCC countries operate integrated and resilient water systems that serve their people and economies effectively. To realize this Vision, the mission of the UWS is to align national water strategies, fostering cooperation and joint initiatives that enable each country to manage its water resources in a rational, efficient, and sustainable manner. The Strategy is underpinned by a set of core values and guiding principles, including (i) the commitment to delivering water and sanitation services that meet the highest international standards; (ii) the promotion of sound governance marked by transparency and accountability; (iii) the cultivation of public awareness about water issues. It also emphasizes the importance of integrating supply and demand management and planning for the impacts of climate change. Innovation and research are strongly encouraged, especially in the area of interconnection between water, energy, and food systems, while building institutional and human capacities remains a priority. To translate its Vision and Mission into action, the GCC UWS is structured around the following 5 strategic themes, each with defined objectives (1) focusing on the development and sustainability of water resources, with goals such as increasing local production of desalination and treatment technologies, safeguarding conventional water sources, and maximizing the safe and economical use of treated wastewater (2) addressing efficient and equitable water use, aiming to elevate service quality, boost water-use efficiency in urban and industrial settings, and promote a more water-conscious agricultural sector aligned with resource limitations; (3) seeking to enhance water supply security, ensuring that robust systems are in place to maintain service continuity during emergencies and disasters; (4) enhancing governance and societal engagement, aiming to improve regulatory frameworks and build a water-aware culture across the region.; (5) targeting economic efficiency and financial sustainability, focusing on reducing supply costs and increasing cost recovery, all while maintaining high-quality service delivery. To monitor progress, the Strategy sets measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to be achieved by 2035. These include targets such as (i) manufacturing at least 10% of desalination capacity locally, (ii) integrating at least 10% renewable energy into the water sector, (iii) collecting 60% of municipal water as wastewater, (iv) reusing 90% of treated wastewater, and (v) limiting water network leakage to 10%. Additionally, the Strategy aims to reduce per capita municipal water consumption to no more than 250 liters per day and increase irrigation efficiency to at least 60%. Institutional milestones include the development of emergency preparedness plans, the creation of a regional water grid, and the establishment of a unified tariff framework that supports cost recovery.
2015-01-01