Water is essential for human life and access to safe drinking water is a fundamental requirement for the enjoyment of several human rights. The supply of water for human consumption touches every aspect of development and is linked to nearly all 17 Sustainable Development Goals at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by all United Nations Member States. Water has been instrumental for promoting peace and cooperation worldwide, but it has also been a source of armed conflicts and used as a weapon. Water stress is expected to critically impact most Middle Eastern and North African countries in the future. The aim of this paper is to analyse the importance of water diplomacy in the Middle East and North Africa region, in the context of the current water crisis. Firstly, the human security concept is employed to emphasize the significance of the human right to water and sanitation. Secondly, the role of water diplomacy in the promotion of security in the Middle East and North Africa region is discussed. Thirdly, regional cooperation initiatives and strategies to fight water scarcity are highlighted. Finally, an outlook of water diplomacy in the region is given for the upcoming decades of the 21st century.
Keywords: Water Diplomacy; Water Crisis; Human Rights; Human Security