Global Scans · Water · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Global demand for fresh water is expected to outpace sustainable supply by 40% in 2030. Global water demand will climb in tandem with population and economic growth. At least two-thirds of the world's population will face 'water stress' by 2025 and the number of people affected by floods could increase by a factor of three by 2100 bring significant risk of unrest and conflict. The UN Security Council will have to declare water a strategic resource of humanity and adopt a resolution to protect water resources and installations. Organizations will be expected to play their part in conserving water.

• [New] Through the Water Forward Initiative, ADB will target reaching 100 million people in developing economies in Asia and the Pacific by 2030 with safe water, sanitation, irrigation, and greater resilience to floods, droughts, and storms. World Bank Live
• [New] Vietnam's commitment: By 2030, Vietnam will ensure sufficient water supply for domestic use and economic development, reaching 100% of urban households and 80% of rural households. World Bank Live
• [New] The growing global water scarcity makes the rational use of water resources a matter of national policy level, placing it at the core of the Uzbekistan 2030 strategy, which sets 10 concrete targets to be achieved by 2030. World Bank Live
• [New] Kenya is facing a widening gap between growing demand for reliable water sanitation and irrigation, and limited climate-vulnerable supply with inadequate service coverage, high losses, low storage, and overreliance on rain-fed systems, turning water insecurity into a macrofiscal risk. World Bank Live
• [New] President Alassane Ouattara is a champion of the African Union 2063 Green Agenda, and 2026 has been designated as the Year of Drinkable Water. World Bank Live
• [New] Through the Presidential Pact for Water, we are aiming for 60% access to drinkable water by 2035 with a program representing 20 billion dollars. World Bank Live
• [New] IOD (Indian Ocean Dipole): A positive IOD phase developing in tandem with El Nino (forecast for June/July 2026) will amplify drought in Indonesia and Australia. Through my Asian lens
• [New] Displacement: Flooding in Southern Africa and South America, combined with drought-induced agricultural collapse, could trigger climate migration. Through my Asian lens
• [New] Precipitation: Below-normal summer rainfall combined with higher temperatures indicates elevated drought potential, especially in Central Europe. Through my Asian lens
• [New] Up to half of the world's rangelands are degraded or at risk, with serious consequences for food and water security, biodiversity, climate resilience and rural livelihoods. United Nations
• [New] 95% of Colorado is expected to face drought conditions in June and July. Colorado Springs Gazette
• [New] In addition to the entire Arabian Peninsula, Iran and India, most North African countries such as Algeria, Egypt and Libya are among the countries that are expected to consume at least 80% of the available water by 2050. Statista Daily Data
• [New] Florida could experience a water supply shortage as early as 2025, and it is expected to increase in severity through 2040. A Magical Mess
• [New] Global water demand is projected to increase by another 20% to 25% by 2050, all while the number of watersheds affected by unpredictable water supplies is expected to rise by 19%. Population Connection
• [New] Putting solar panels over California's open canals could save billions of gallons of water annually. Business Facilities Magazine
• [New] An El Nino event later in the year could affect Nigeria's agricultural cycle, potentially leading to irregular rainfall, drought in some regions or flooding in others. Healthwise
• [New] Atlantic Ocean currents that are vital for keeping Earth's climate in check will halve in strength by 2100 and may be closer to collapse than first thought, a new study finds. Live Science
• [New] The RRC, faced with an uptick in earthquakes from wastewater injection deep underground, encouraged companies to dispose their wastewater in shallow areas despite knowing it could cause leaks onto ranch land and potentially harm drinking water. Insurance Journal
• [New] Iran, of course, is acutely vulnerable to water risks. Scientific American
• Even today, as conflict continues in the Middle East, desalination plants in both Iran and Bahrain have been attacked, cutting off sources of fresh water for population centers that will take years to rebuild. George W. Bush Presidential Center
• Following the recent dissipation of the weak La Nina, the World Meteorological Organization flagged the potential emergence of a super El Nino - an event that occurs roughly once a decade - later in 2026 could threaten water levels in Gatun Lake, a critical component of the Panama Canal system. BRS Shipbrokers

Last updated: 09 May 2026