Meeting the environmental challenges and embracing the opportunities

UNESCO aims to promote science in the interests of peace, economic and social progress, sustainable development, and protection of the environment.    

Member States have confirmed and translated their commitment to the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda into national visions and policies for the protection of the environment and building resilient communities. In this regard, UNESCO is working closely with different stakeholders around the region to respond to the environmental challenges and help build a better understanding and responsibility among the public and private sectors with regard to protection of natural resources, halting biodiversity loss as well as addressing water security and climate change impacts.  

The Gulf region is one of the world's hottest and most water-scarce regions. The lack of fresh water is exacerbated by high population growth rates, accelerated economic development and industrialization, poor management of water resources, climate change vulnerability, and declining water quality and accessibility caused by conflicts.  

The relationship between water, conflict, and fragility in the Arab region are multi-faceted.  

Most alarmingly is the situation in Yemen, where extreme climate events and several years of conflict have led to the humanitarian crisis. And more than 17 million people lack adequate access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene, putting them at risk of water-borne diseases and malnutrition.  

Addressing water security in the region requires a multidisciplinary approach. Therefore, UNESCO works jointly with its Member States through: 

• Mobilizing scientific cooperation and capacity building through UNESCO’s unique and extensive network of UNESCO water-affiliated institutions, centers, and chairs.  
• Fostering a science-policy interface to support evidence-based policies and innovative solutions to make environments and communities more resilient.

Managing scarce natural resources, maintaining ecosystem integrity, and decline of biological diversity are significant challenges throughout the Gulf region. There is a growing concern over increased demand on natural resources, the impact of climate change and anthropological pressure on natural and geological heritage. 

In order to reconnect people with nature, UNESCO established the Man & Biosphere program (MAB), an intergovernmental scientific programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for enhancing the relationship between people and their environments. It combines the natural and social sciences with a view to improving human livelihoods and safeguarding natural and managed ecosystems in a protected area. These protected areas are designated as Biosphere Reserves.  

The Arab region was identified as highly vulnerable to the consequences of climate change. The region is exposed to various hazards driving disaster risk to levels requiring prompt management and reduction.  

Studies shows that the Middle East is particularly vulnerable to climate risks with various extreme weather events of floods, droughts, dust storms and extreme temperatures registered during these past years. The intensity, seasonality and volatility of climate patterns are creating a great pressure on human and natural ecosystems. Adding to that the complexity of the political context in the Arab region leading to people’s migration from rural areas to urban cities therefore increasing the competition over natural resources and degradation of terrestrial ecosystems (due to urban and infrastructure expansion). 

There is a need to address the causal linkage between Climate change, security and societal crisis in the Arab region and to highlight the importance of bridging the gap between climate science to social and political sciences. Studying and anticipating the effect of climate change should not only include the environment and natural resources but also its impact on livelihood and the economic stability and resilience of countries. More holistic proactive actions and policies on climate change mitigation and adaptation are crucial to contribute to food-water security as well as peacebuilding, conflict resolution and effective reconciliation process.