Technology: The life buoy for the future of water in our Arab world – something for the fatherland – ✍️ Mr. Salah Gharib
The rarity of water is one of the most important challenges that humanity is confronted in the 21st century, and this crisis increased in our Arab region, which is one of the most drought areas in the world. With the increase in population pressure and climatic fluctuations that affect rain models, the search for innovative solutions becomes inevitable to ensure water safety for current and future generations. Here is the importance of technology as a fundamental partner in development and as an effective weapon to deal with these complex challenges.
It is not a secret for anyone that more than 90% of the population of Arab countries suffers from critical levels of water shortage, as indicated during the fifth international conference of Baghdad Water. This reality requires serious action, as based on common water resources, 60% of which come from outside the Arab region, doubles the responsibility of the countries of regional cooperation and membership in international water laws.
Take Sudan as a living example that reflects the double challenges facing many countries. While some areas suffer from a strong rarity of water, other areas are drowned in destructive floods due to the fluctuation of rain. This blatant contradiction not only hinders development, but also threatens the health of citizens, because the high cases of cholera due to bad water sources are a dangerous indication of the exacerbation of the crisis. In this context, technology can provide radical solutions to manage this contradiction, thanks to intelligent monitoring systems, can be followed and distributed more efficiently.
The slogan of the fifth international conference by Baghdad Water “Water and Technology … Partnership for Development” emphasizes the in -depth understanding of the pivotal role that technology plays. The use of modern technologies is no longer an option, but an urgent need to improve water safety, and therefore food and environmental security. Technology can contribute to several main aspects, including improving water efficiency thanks to intelligent irrigation systems and remote sensing to monitor crop needs, water waste can considerably reduce agriculture, which is the largest consumer of water.
Technology provides advanced solutions to desalination of seawater and the treatment and reuse of wastewater, providing additional water sources and reduces dependence on traditional fresh water.
Modern technologies such as artificial intelligence and the analysis of enormous data can create precise predictive models of precipitation models, water levels in dams and rivers, which contributes to a more sustainable management of resources.
Advanced sensors and mobile laboratory technologies help to quickly detect water pollution, which allows the measures necessary to protect public health and reduce the spread of diseases transmitted to water.
Technology is not limited to direct technical solutions, but can be used as an effective tool to educate new and future generations on the importance of rationalizing water consumption and encouraging innovation in this area.
The water challenges encountered by our Arab region are large and complex, but the political will, in addition to exploiting technological capacities, can open the way to a safer future of water. In partnership between water and technology, effective regional cooperation and the exchange of experiences, are the basic pillars that will allow us to build a sustainable future for future generations.
