Thomson Reuters Foundation: Tackle Middle East water scarcity to save money, boost stability — World Bank
“The Middle East and North Africa region loses about $21 billion each year because of an inadequate supply of water and sanitation, the World Bank said on Tuesday, warning urgent action is needed to prevent ripple effects on stability and growth. Poor management of water resources and sanitation in the world’s most water-scarce region costs about one percent of its annual gross domestic product, with conflict-hit states losing as much as two to four percent each year, the bank said in a report issued at the World Water Week conference in Stockholm, Sweden…” (Lazareva, 8/29).

U.N. News Centre: At start of World Water Week, U.N. Assembly President says water and sanitation goals need ‘major push’
“Encouraging global action to support clean water and sanitation, United Nations General Assembly President Peter Thomson [Monday] underscored that when it comes to the environment, everything is connected. ‘None should imagine that the state of sanitation and coral reefs are anything but directly connected,’ Mr. Thomson said, delivering the keynote address at a special event in Stockholm to start World Water Week…” (8/28).