With the lowest volume of annual renewable water resources and of water resources per capita, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is the most water-scarce region in the world. Moreover, rapid population increase, economic growth, rising affluence, urbanisation and expansion of irrigated lands are drastically increasing the demand for water, while climate change is negatively affecting the supply.
MENA has no option but to balance the supply and demand for water as efficiently, sustainably and equitably as possible. Over the past decade, IDRC and several partners have supported numerous research projects and a network of researchers on water demand management (WDM). This project will promote the implementation of WDM principles and tools in MENA and beyond through research, capacity building, networking, dissemination and advocacy. [Adapted from Author]