Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 15, the Arabian Gulf University will host a workshop bringing together representatives of water-related agencies and institutions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states to explore the possibility of constructing water interconnection projects among GCC countries and to discuss one of the most important strategic issues related to enhancing water security in the GCC. This comes in accordance with the directives of Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC countries, issued during the 19th Consultative Meeting held in Jeddah on April 28.

The meeting will review the current state of water infrastructure in the GCC, and the achievements made over the past decades in developing drinking water services, which have contributed to positioning the GCC member states among the world’s leaders in the reliability and efficiency of water supplies in terms of both quantity and quality. Participants will discuss scenarios and options for water interconnection among GCC member states, optimal technical and operational aspects, effective governance methods and institutional frameworks, and the financial sustainability of water interconnection projects among GCC member states.

Professor Walid Zubari, Professor of Water Resources Management at Arabian Gulf University, explained that the meeting will discuss water interconnection projects as one of the strategic options that can help enhance preparedness and resilience in the face of emergencies, complement existing GCC member states’ plans for both emergency and normal situations, while also promoting the exchange of technical expertise among GCC member states and developing a shared Gulf vision for future cooperation in water resources management.

He noted that the Arabian Gulf University, as an academic institution established by the GCC member states to serve common development issues, is always keen to support Gulf efforts aimed at enhancing integration in vital sectors, foremost among them the water sector, by providing a scientific platform for dialogue and offering academic and research expertise that helps support decision-makers and enhance the sustainability of water security in the region.