ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/CL1.CCS/2025/2
Country: Arab region, People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Kingdom of Bahrain, Republic of Djibouti, Arab Republic of Egypt, Republic of Iraq, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, State of Kuwait, Lebanese Republic, State of Libya, Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Kingdom of Morocco, Sultanate of Oman, State of Palestine, State of Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Federal Republic of Somalia, Republic of Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Republic of Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Republic of Yemen
Publication Type: Flagship publications
Cluster: Climate Change and Natural Resource Sustainability
Focus Area: Climate change, Natural resource sustainability
Initiatives: Climate Resilience through Regional Cooperation, AWARENET
SDGs: Agenda 2030, Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Goal 13: Climate Action
Keywords: Algeria, Arab countries, Aquifers, Bahrain, Capacity building, Climate change adaptation, Data quality, Djibouti, Egypt, Financial resources, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lake basins, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Regional cooperation, River basins, Saudi arabia, Shared water resources, Somalia, State of palestine, Sudan, Syrian arab republic, Tunisia, United arab emirates, Yemen
Transboundary Cooperation in the Arab Region: Third Regional Report on SDG Indicator 6.52
October 2025
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator 6.5.2 enables the monitoring of operational arrangements for transboundary water cooperation. The third regional report for the indicator assesses the status and progress of transboundary water cooperation in the Arab region. Participation in the reporting process has improved significantly, with 17 out of 21 Arab countries sharing transboundary basins submitting data to the third monitoring exercise in 2023, compared to just 10 countries in 2017. In total, 90 per cent of the region’s countries have engaged in at least one round of reporting, demonstrating growing awareness and commitment to transboundary water cooperation.
This present report highlights significant discrepancies in how countries report transboundary basins, including inconsistencies in provided data. The report tackles institutional and legal gaps under a changing climate, in addition to emphasizing ongoing data availability and financial problems. To accelerate progress, the report recommends integrating climate adaptation into transboundary frameworks, harmonizing data reporting protocols, leveraging regional institutions for dialogue, and aligning SDG reporting efforts. Strengthening technical capacities, enhancing data systems, and promoting inclusive stakeholder participation are essential to achieving effective transboundary water cooperation. Despite some advancements, substantial efforts are needed to bridge existing gaps and meet SDG targets.
Related content
Climate change, Natural resource sustainability
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator 6.5.2 enables the monitoring of operational arrangements for transboundary water cooperation. The third regional report for the indicator assesses the status and progress of transboundary water cooperation in the Arab region. Participation in the reporting process has improved significantly, with 17 out of 21 Arab countries sharing transboundary basins submitting data to the third monitoring exercise in 2023, compared to just 10 countries in 2017. In total, 90 per cent of the region’s countries have engaged in at least one round of reporting, demonstrating growing awareness and commitment to transboundary water cooperation.
This present report highlights significant discrepancies in how countries report transboundary basins, including inconsistencies in provided data. The report tackles institutional and legal gaps under a changing climate, in addition to emphasizing ongoing data availability and financial problems. To accelerate progress, the report recommends integrating climate adaptation into transboundary frameworks, harmonizing data reporting protocols, leveraging regional institutions for dialogue, and aligning SDG reporting efforts. Strengthening technical capacities, enhancing data systems, and promoting inclusive stakeholder participation are essential to achieving effective transboundary water cooperation. Despite some advancements, substantial efforts are needed to bridge existing gaps and meet SDG targets.
