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Abstract

With the onset of the twenty-first century, the struggle over vital water supplies has become a persistent threat across all global regions, as water demand significantly outstrips the current supply. Since most primary water sources—particularly in the Arab region—are shared by two or more countries, and because these nations seldom agree on negotiated procedures for allocating available supplies, disputes over access to contested resources are escalating, potentially triggering conflict. This risk is especially acute in arid regions where rainfall is scarce for many Arab countries that rely on major water systems (the Nile, the Jordan, and the Tigris and Euphrates) to meet their basic needs. Unless effective means are established to reduce per capita consumption from available resources, any increased water usage by one country within the system will inevitably diminish the water available to others, leading to a genuine crisis, exacerbated by population growth and rising industrial and agricultural demands. Furthermore, global climate change is set to complicate the water supply equation. As greenhouse gases accumulate in the atmosphere, average temperatures will rise, and precipitation patterns will shift across many parts of the world, leading to higher rainfall in some regions and reductions in others. Scientists and researchers in this field maintain that most warm inland regions, such as North Africa (traversed by the Nile) and Southwest Asia (traversed by the Tigris and Euphrates), will experience a decline in water supplies. Accordingly, this study aims to highlight the water scarcity faced by Arab countries, particularly Iraq, and the intensifying competition among various sectoral uses—domestic, industrial, agricultural, and tourism. Demand for water is growing to secure the needs of a rising population amidst weak administrative and institutional frameworks governing the water sector, as well as a lack of cooperation among Arab stakeholders regarding the management of shared waters. This necessitates addressing challenges through the adoption of appropriate tools and measures, the formulation of legal regulations, and human capacity building to ensure sound water management and rationalized use, thereby fostering better international relations free from crises. Regarding Iraq, given the multiple uses of water, it is essential to incorporate the economic implications of water management. Despite its inherent water wealth, Iraq faces formidable water challenges and obstacles that must be addressed through Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) as a fundamental approach to sustainable development.

DOI

10.33095/jeas.v13i47.1193

Subject Area

Economics

First Page

1

Last Page

19

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