CONCEPT NOTE
Webinar Title:
Water Scarcity, Food Security, and Stability in North Africa
Organizers:
– African Broadcasting Union (AUB / UAR),
– United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), and
– HEC Montréal
Date and Time: September 29, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Montreal Time)
Format: Online (Zoom)
Speakers:
– Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud, Chief Executive Officer of the Climate and Water Initiative and Lead for Middle East Climate and Water Policy at UNU-INWEH
– (To be confirmed)
Context and Regional Urgency
North Africa is experiencing the most severe water crisis in its modern history. Identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as a global warming hotspot warming 20% faster than the global average, the region suffers from the combined impacts of climate change, population growth, and pronounced overexploitation of groundwater resources. https://www.ipcc.ch
According to FAO AQUASTAT data, https://www.fao.org/aquastat/en/ average freshwater availability has dropped to approximately 565 cubic meters per capita per year, nearing the critical threshold of absolute scarcity set at 500 cubic meters by the Falkenmark Index and UN-Water.
By 2030, this volume could fall below 400 cubic meters, while the World Resources Institute (WRI) already ranks all North African countries among the most affected by global water stress, with each withdrawing more than 80% of their renewable reserves annually.
This water insecurity hits the agricultural sector head-on, which absorbs between 83% and 85% of the region’s freshwater withdrawals according to the World Bank and FAO, reaching over 90% in Egypt and Libya.
With over 70% of cultivated land relying exclusively on rainfall, the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report projects that a 10% to 20% drop in rainfall by 2050 will trigger a decline in regional agricultural yields of up to 30%.
To bridge this deficit, North Africa has become one of the most cereal import-dependent regions in the world, exposing it directly to international market volatility analyzed by the World Food Programme (WFP).
Beyond the economy, water scarcity acts as a powerful multiplier of social instability. The World Bank’s Groundswell report estimates that the region could see up to 19 million internal climate migrants by 2050, heightening pressure on urban areas, undermining purchasing power, and raising complex governance challenges around transboundary aquifers.
What Role Can Broadcasters Play?
In this emergency context, communication and scientific reporting become essential components of resilience policies. Driven by the African Broadcasting Union, the continent’s public and private media serve as a vital bridge between scientific research, policymakers, and citizens. The central role of broadcasters lies first in popularizing water science, translating complex hydrological data and climate models into clear, accessible narratives grounded in the daily reality of local populations.
Media outlets are also called upon to promote action-oriented solutions journalism. This involves highlighting successful innovations and initiatives—such as treated wastewater reuse, low-carbon desalination, micro-irrigation, and the adaptation of traditional water-harvesting practices—to move beyond a narrative of inevitability.
Finally, by providing factual, balanced, and rigorous coverage of environmental issues, broadcasters play a major preventive role against misinformation, ease community tensions over resource sharing, and strengthen social cohesion.
Webinar Objectives
This virtual gathering aims to unpack the nexus between water scarcity, food security, and regional stability in light of the latest scientific data. It will serve to present public adaptation policies and integrated management innovations led by UNU-INWEH and HEC Montréal, while providing media professionals with reliable scientific benchmarks and relevant analytical angles to cover environmental issues on air.
Target Audience
Media Professionnels / Content producers
Public decision-makers
Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) experts
Environmental policy managers
Researchers and students
Civil society actors, environmental NGOs, and international organizations working in climate resilience
Register here
