In this text, Professor Fadi Comair offers a comprehensive analysis of the strategic role water diplomacy plays in addressing transboundary water conflicts, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Professor Comair introduces the concept of Hydrodiplomacy as a governance model that merges scientific, diplomatic, and institutional efforts to promote the equitable and sustainable management of water resources. Against the backdrop of climate change, water scarcity, population growth, and geopolitical instability, he underscores the urgent need to transition from unilateral management of shared water basins to cooperative frameworks.
Key examples such as the Jordan River Basin, the Dead Sea crisis, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, and the Tigris-Euphrates rivers illustrate the complexity and stakes of water conflicts. The ECOMED Academy, launched under UNESCO’s IHP-IX framework, is presented as a proactive initiative to foster anticipatory action, resilience, and regional cooperation. The text also advocates for the integration of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus to strengthen water security and climate adaptation strategies. Professor Comair calls for the recognition of water as a common good, the ratification of international water conventions, and the establishment of inclusive governance structures. Hydrodiplomacy, he argues, must be central to sustainable development and conflict prevention efforts, especially in regions marked by hydro-political tensions.
