Climate adaptation, transboundary water management, and political stability in the Middle East: Challenges and opportunities for EU-Middle East collaboration

The effects of climate change on water supply, food security, migration, and political stability are becoming evident in the Middle East. The sustainable management of its water resources is among the region’s major challenges – only compounded by climate change. In recent years, the region has been hit by increasingly frequent and severe weather events, which disproportionately affect poor and marginalized communities, undermine economic prospects, displace populations, and fuel tensions between people and states.

Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated approach involving the development, humanitarian, and security communities. It also requires regular exchanges between academic experts, field practitioners, and decisionmakers.

This workshop brings together experts and stakeholders from the region and beyond to discuss approaches to addressing the nexus between climate change, water resources, development, migration, and (human) security in the region. Participants will have the opportunity to share good practices and discuss strategic priorities - in particular with regard to regional cooperation and collaboration with the EU and other European partners.

The workshop is part of the CASCADES project (www.cascades.eu), funded by the European Union. CASCADES studies the implications of climate change for trade, development, finance, and security in focus regions of European external action. Discussions and policy recommendations developed during the workshop will feed into CASCADES’ ongoing consultation and outreach process with the European Commission and other European stakeholders.