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Transboundary water governance needs an intergenerational perspective

Nature Water volume 1, pages 210–211 (2023)Cite this article

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The opinions and desires of young researchers and youth action groups should be considered when planning solutions to water-related challenges at local and global scales.

The Nile has been the lifeline of Egyptians since the beginning of civilization, providing more than 90% of their water needs1. The river contributes to Egypt’s textile industry — that amounts to a quarter of the country’s non-oil exports — and more than 80% of the water needs are dedicated to agricultural practices constituting the backbone of the Egyptian economy. However, Egypt is currently set to face acute potable water poverty due to climate change, developmental aspirations, and geopolitical repercussions. Water poverty is considered a potential national security issue given the direct and indirect impacts it will have on the lives and socioeconomic conditions of the Egyptian population. However, water-related challenges cannot be confined to individual countries. Health-related problems, economic recession, livelihood security and climate adaptation action have all proven to be transboundary, cross-sectoral and multifaceted in nature, disproportionately affecting different social groups.

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References

  1. Peace and Security Monitor: Challenges in The Mediterranean Region (Peace Humanity, 2022); https://peacehumanity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Medit_October-2022.pdf

  2. Youth Vision for Water: On the Road to UN Water Conference 2023 (WYPW, 2022); https://youthforwater.org/app/uploads/2022/05/wypw.vision.publication.05.2022.pdf

  3. COP27 Global Youth Statement (COY17, 2022); https://coy17eg.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/GYS-2022-V.-Z.pdf

  4. Transboundary Water Governance; Adaptation to Climate Change (eds Sanchez, J. C & Roberts, J.) (IUCN, 2014); https://portals.iucn.org/library/efiles/documents/IUCN-EPLP-no.075.pdf

  5. Transboundary Water Management in Africa: Challenges for Development Cooperation (eds Scheumann, W. & Neubert, S.) (SSOAR, 2006); https://d-nb.info/1191640345/34

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Yosr Khèdr

  2. Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany

    Yosr Khèdr

  3. Université Bordeaux-Montaigne, Bordeaux, France

    Yosr Khèdr

  4. World Youth Parliament for Water (WYPW), Montreal, Canada

    Yosr Khèdr

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  1. Yosr Khèdr
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Correspondence to Yosr Khèdr.

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Khèdr, Y. Transboundary water governance needs an intergenerational perspective. Nat Water 1, 210–211 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-023-00051-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-023-00051-2

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