Sir Liam Fox, former UK Defence Secretary, Chairman of the Abraham Accords Group, and author of the book “The Coming Storm: Why Water Will Define the 21st Century,” participated in the session.

In his speech, he focused on several key points, notably considering water security as the greatest global challenge of the 21st century due to its direct impact on food security and economic stability. He highlighted the close link between water and energy, the role of innovation and technology in addressing resource scarcity, and warned that future conflicts may arise over water more than any other resource, requiring the establishment of sustainable international and regional cooperation frameworks.

He pointed out that per capita water consumption in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries reaches 650 liters per day compared to only 150-250 liters in Europe. He also emphasized treated water and rainwater harvesting as renewable resources that can be invested in agriculture and the development of green spaces, as well as their vital role in enhancing water security in arid and semi-arid areas.

The session also highlighted the pivotal role played by the United Nations and its agencies in leading multilateral diplomatic efforts to ensure sustainable water and sanitation management, alongside the contribution of think tanks in supporting policymakers and developing technical and scientific knowledge.