Switzerland concludes the hosting of the Water Security in the Middle East workshop in Montreux this week. Some 60 international officials take part in an event aimed at finding solutions to the region�€™s grave water shortages. Despite a long history of bitter conflict, delegates appear to agree that regional cooperation is required to tackle declining supplies. 

�€œAll countries in the region [Middle East] will experience substantial decline in per capita water availability by 2030�€ thanks to �€œpopulation and economic growth, climate change and domestic imbalances�€, said the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in a press release issued Wednesday.

The SDC hosted this week�€™s Water Security in the Middle East workshop, chaired by the India-based think the Strategic Foresight Group (SFG) in Montreux.

Members of parliament, former cabinet ministers, leaders of water commissions and heads of research institutions from across the Middle East took part in talks.

Exacerbated by the effects of global warming, water shortages are already a burning issue in many regions around the world, but the geopolitical tinderbox of the Middle East raises the potential for conflict over dwindling supplies.

However, delegates at the talks generally expressed a united front. Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan called for the establishment of a regional water and energy community.

"We need to develop a regional master plan for water security based on innovative concepts. Such a plan should particularly address the needs of millions of people who form the silent majority," he told delegates at the workshop.

Switzerland seconded the suggestion, citing examples of Rhine River basin and the country�€™s efforts to address similar problems in Central Asia.

The Swiss team also underlined the importance of technical management of the water sector.

Other delegates agreed after presenting grim long-term scenarios, laced with shrinking, polluted lakes and rivers.

Provided that regional cooperation can be established, water management solutions are expected to focus on desalination.

One idea is for Israel to construct the long mooted �€œRed Dead Canal�€ to produce fresh water from a plant powered by hydroelectric energy.

For the Palestinians, the prospect of greater, but Israeli-controlled, water supplies may prove a double-edged sword.

On Wednesday, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that Israel was making normal life for Palestinians on the West Bank �€œclose to impossible�€.

Tel-Aviv has rejected the accusation, saying that West Bank economic conditions have improved.

In a recent interview with the SFG, former Israeli water commissioner, Shimon Tal pointed out: �€œThe region has to produce new freshwater resources �€“ 50 per cent more than the average yield of the natural water resources.�€

�€œMaybe, in a way, I am kind of naïve,�€ he added. �€œBut my vision is that the severe shortage of water and the necessity for new water resources on a large scale will create the right conditions for regional cooperation.�€

Others, including former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, have expressed fears that they will create the right conditions for further regional conflict.

Tal stepped down as Israel�€™s water commissioner more than three years ago.

Further related workshops are planned by the SFG.