In 1990, total water use in Yemen was 2,799 MCM/yr. In 2010, it was 3,970 MCM/yr. Since availability is declining and the population is increasing, Yemen may soon run dry

Morocco’s water resources are under increasing pressure from population and industrial growth, irrigated agriculture, urbanization, tourism, climate change, overexploitation of aquifers and deteriorating water quality.

Algeria, like many other countries in the world, is facing significant natural, environmental and climatic challenges. Its galloping population coupled with increasing water demand is putting this vital resource – and by extension social and economic development – at risk.

To meet the minimum standards for water quantity and quality set by the World Bank, Algeria developed an ambitious strategy to increase water supply through huge investments in the improvement of the hydraulic infrastructure as well as organizational and institutional restructuring focused on the valuation of the resource

Egypt, which lies in north-eastern Africa and extends into the Sinai Peninsula in Asia, covers a total area of 1 million square kilometres (km²). It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Gaza Strip, Israel and the Red Sea to the east, Sudan to the south and Libya to the west.

Egypt faces significant challenges to water resource development and use, the solution to which requires the mobilization of other natural resources, such as land and energy, and integrated management

The Sultanate of Oman is holding a strategically important position at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. The population of Oman is 4.43 million (2016).

Among the major water infrastructure is a large number of desalination plants, including nine plants in operation that produce more than 100,000 m3/d

There are no water agreements in place for the southern part of the Umm er Radhuma-Dammam aquifer system, which is shared between Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Yemen.

The ‘National Water Resources Master Plan’ also states that water in Oman is, and will remain, one of the country’s most valuable resources.

Fanack Water interviewed the ambitious al-Bulushi during the event, asking her about her project, her aspirations and vision.