UN Representative Warns: World Is Entering 'Global Water Bankruptcy'

Patriotic Vision Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mohamad Safa, has warned that the world is officially entering "global water bankruptcy." According to a post on X, the UN has announced that people will start running out of clean water for essential activities such as drinking, cooking, showering, and laundry in the coming years.

Mohamad cautioned that as clean water becomes scarce, it will not remain free and may be privatized, priced, and controlled, leaving those unable to pay without access to this vital resource. He also expressed concern over the water demands of data centers, which rely on water-based cooling systems due to cost-effectiveness. Mohamad emphasized that water should be prioritized for people's needs over profit.

A UN report released on January 20 highlights the growing strain on water resources globally. The report notes that more than half of the world's large lakes have diminished since the early 1990s, while approximately 35% of natural wetlands have been lost since 1970. Additionally, nearly three-quarters of the global population now reside in water-insecure or critically water-insecure countries.

The UN asserts that the burden of water insecurity is disproportionately borne by vulnerable groups, including smallholder farmers, Indigenous Peoples, low-income urban residents, women, and young people, while the benefits of water overuse often accrue to more powerful entities.

Despite the dire warning, the UN maintains that water bankruptcy is not the final outcome. It advocates for a shift from viewing water problems as temporary crises to focusing on long-term recovery. This includes protecting remaining water resources, addressing unsustainable water use, and implementing policies aligned with current hydrological realities.