3 September 2013: The UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources of Germany (BGR) launched an inventory of shared water resources in the Arab region, revealing rapid decline in water quantity and quality, and the need for regional cooperation for sustainable development and security.

The online inventory, titled ‘Inventory of Water Resources of the Western Asia Region,’ was launched during the 2013 edition of World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden. The inventory catalogues and describes the characteristics of nine river basins and shared tributary systems, and 17 groundwater aquifers. The research finds there are more shared water resources in Western Asia than is generally assumed, and that water quality is declining. It also notes that there are no cooperation arrangements in place for groundwater resources, which are being rapidly depleted.

According to the UN-ESCWA and the Federal Institute, while transboundary rivers such as the Euphrates, Tigris, Nile and Jordan have been much studied, many aquifers have been overlooked due to their hidden nature. They emphasize that accurate and up-to-date information is needed to inform stakeholders and promote dialogue.

Roula Majadalani, UN-ESCWA, said the inventory would serve as a basis for further cooperation on water and other shared natural resources. [Publication: Inventory of Water Resources of the Western Asia Region] [UN ESCWA and BGR Press Release] [Water Inventory of Shared Water Resources in Western Asia Brochure]