Gulf Cooperation Council nations have made measurable progress in sustainable water management, with groundwater extraction dropping 3 percent annually over the past nine years, according to new data from the Statistical Centre for the GCC (GCC-Stat).
The figures also show that renewable water resources now account for 25.5 percent of the region's total water supply, a significant marker of the shift away from dependence on finite underground reserves.
GCC-Stat attributed the progress to strategic policy decisions across member states aimed at securing long-term water availability for future generations. The region, which faces acute water scarcity driven by arid conditions and the pressures of climate change, has been actively restructuring how it sources and manages water.
Key drivers behind the shift include the expansion of desalination infrastructure, wider use of treated and recycled water, and the adoption of modern technologies in both water distribution and consumption management.
The centre noted that diversifying water sources reduces mounting pressure on groundwater reserves, which have historically shouldered the bulk of demand across the Gulf. By broadening the resource mix, GCC countries are working to bring water supply strategies in line with broader sustainable development goals.
The data signals that regional water policy is moving from reactive management to long-term planning, with governments aligning national frameworks around conservation, efficiency and climate resilience. Officials view the growing contribution of renewable sources as a foundation for strengthening water security across the region in the years ahead.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
