14.03.2012 - UNESCOPRESS  Arab region faces ever-increasing
water challenges  © UN Photo/Ian SteeleChildren helping an old
woman fill her containers with water from a community pump in
Dobra Khira near Sanaa (Yemen)  As the Arab region is facing
multiple water challenges due to population growth, food
security demands, overconsumption of water resources, climate
change, extreme weather events, and damage to water
infrastructure caused by regional conflicts, the United Nations
emphasizes a greater-than-ever need for cooperation over shared
water resources.  According to the latest edition of the United
Nations World Water Development Report (WWDR4), released today
at the 6th World Water Forum in Marseille, France, Arab
countries are responding to these challenges by improving water
resources management, increasing access to water supply and
sanitation services, strengthening resilience and preparedness,
and expanding the use of non-conventional water resources.
However, these measures are insufficient to overc