VIDEO Utilities Water scarcity: The GCC’s desalination challenge By Shruthi Nair April 17, 2025, 6:57 AM The Gulf is one of the most water scarce regions in the world, so it has had to adopt innovative solutions for its water resources. One of the most prominent of these is desalination. While less than 1 percent of the world’s drinking water is desalinated, GCC countries depend on their desalination plants for up to 90 percent of their total water needs. But desalination comes at a price. Technological advancements have made considerable strides in reducing these costs, but it is still more expensive than other water sources. Watch the video above to learn more about these challenges and the crucial investment being made by industry leaders such as Veolia in developing and implementing desalination projects across the region. Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later
