Water and the environment represent one of the biggest challenges
facing global and local communities. They are also source of conflict
and cooperation among nations. As transboundary basins host more than
half of the world's population, with countries sharing about 310 rivers
and lakes and 592 surfaces of groundwater, Cooperation and diplomacy in
transboundary water is vital for security and peace among riparian
countries.
The Middle East, North Africa region and Jordan in
particular, are one of the most water-scarce regions in the world, where
the demand for water far exceeds the natural amount of available water.
Climate change, population growth exacerbate scarcity on water
resources and become a source of tension among nations. Accordingly,
water problems have become more central to armed conflicts in our time, a
tendency that rings the alarm and always reminds us of the strong and
fundamental link between water, security, and peace.
To
overcome these challenges at the local and international levels, we must
strengthen cooperation on transboundary waters and emphasize it as an
important tool in achieving global stability and peace, through a
variety of initiatives and activities that include: research, policy
formation, consultations, development training, and knowledge transfer
Technology, etc.
Because of the necessity of a water and peace base,
the Water Diplomacy Center (WDC) was established at Jordan University of
Science and Technology as a hub for water diplomacy; A tool dedicated
to developing capabilities that enhance knowledge in transboundary
water management, provide solutions to water problems, help manage water
resources, supplement the efforts of existing local and national
waterinstitutions, and study the impact of global changes and
appropriate governance mechanisms to enhance the concepts of water
diplomacy, partnership, and mediation in order to ensure a fair peace
between the countries located on The banks of rivers and seashores.
The
Water Diplomacy Center (WDC) aspires to raise awareness about the
importance of transboundary water issues and negotiations and connect
water decision-makers in MENA countries with expertise and
technical knowledge in transboundary water that focus on legal,
negotiation, mediation and diplomacy aspects. This very
important initiative requires large efforts and intellectual awareness
to increase investments and innovations in the field of
transboundary water management, economic and social development and
encourage the exchange of data and information for cooperation in
the Middle East region.
Sponsors of the WDC at this point are the Swiss Agency for development and cooperation and the University of East Anglia.