By Mohammad Ben Hussein

AMMAN – Water experts from across the Kingdom and the Arab world are scheduled to meet in Amman this week to discuss regional water security, according to organisers.

The event, which is being hosted by the Jordan Engineers Association (JEA) at the Professional Associations Complex in Shmeisani, will highlight Arab-Israeli water issues and the possibility of regional conflict over scarce water resources, JEA officials said.

“Water resources could become one of the most important issues in the future considering how sensitive this topic is,” JEA President Abdullah Obeidat told The Jordan Times on Saturday.

He noted that in the one-day event, experts from Egypt are expected to expand on the Arab world’s position on water security.

“The water situation has become a fundamental factor in political developments, particularly the Arab-Israeli conflict,” Obeidat said, calling for a unified Arab water strategy.

“Water problems do not only affect one Arab country; most countries share the same concerns and aspirations when it comes to dealing with inadequate water resources,” he told The Jordan Times.

During the conference, titled “Arab Water Security,” a number of topics will be raised for discussion including climate change and its impact on Arab water security, adapting to climate change, threats to Arab water security and the water situation in Gaza and the West Bank, according to organisers.

The conference, organised by the JEA water committee, is scheduled to be held on Tuesday under the patronage of Minister of Water and Irrigation Mohammad Najjar.
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