May 11, 2004

Jordan Times

Water Strategy

Editorial

As Jordan prepares to host the first ever international water demand management conference on May 30, timely light is shed on a chronic problem, not just in the Middle East, but globally.

It is easy to forget in these times of war and poverty that our dwindling natural resources are the fundamental and essential building blocks of peace and prosperity. And even as Jordan, one of the ten 'driest' countries in the world, progresses steadily in modernising its economy, policy makers and citizens alike must be constantly vigilant in how they approach the issue of water.

Water is, in modern society, an economic commodity (though that is not to suggest that water be treated simply as an economic commodity. Access to clean water is, at root, both morally and of necessity, a basic human right). Nevertheless, effective water management strategies are essential for a modern economy. Jordan's tourism sector needs water for its growth, for example. Improving standards of living bring with them a greater demand for water. The population continues to grow, indeed is not expected to stop growing until the next century.

We must rationalise our strategy. Water subsidies, apart from municipal subsidies to the poor, must be lifted. The agricultural sector must be thoroughly reformed away from water intensive crops to low-water consumptive, high value crops. Investment needs to be poured into research, both scientific and technological, on how we can maximise irrigation efficiency, water recycling abilities and water use in general.

It is said that necessity is the mother of invention. If that is so, Jordan ought to stand a good chance of becoming a market leader in responsible and advanced water management strategy. This is a matter of the highest national interest, of survival.

Indeed, good water management is also a potential conduit for regional cooperation. The countries of the region need to understand that it is in their own interests to cooperate on this issue, a potential win-win situation, in which unilateral measures to control water resources only serve to exacerbate a bad situation rather than improve it.

We hope that when the 1,500 delegates from 30 countries meet to discuss these pressing issues at the Dead Sea their deliberations will be closely followed not just by the experts, but by the media, politicians and citizens.

We have a lot to learn and a long, dry road ahead of us.