Bahrain Stands Firm on Water Security

Electricity Minister carries a message of resilience and commitment to Dushanbe summit

Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Yasser bin Ibrahim Humaidan represented the Kingdom at the 4th High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action, "Water for Sustainable Development" (2018–2028), held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, from May 25 to 28.

Speaking at the conference, Minister Humaidan reaffirmed Bahrain's unwavering commitment—under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the directives of HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa—to supporting global efforts on water security and sustainable water management. He described water security not as a technical issue, but as a national priority and a cornerstone of Bahrain's sustainable development agenda.

Attacks on Water Infrastructure

In a pointed moment, Minister Humaidan raised the direct impact of Iranian attacks on critical infrastructure across Bahrain, the GCC countries, and Jordan — including significant material damage to one of Bahrain's main desalination plants. He stressed the urgent need to strengthen the protection of water infrastructure globally, ensuring its readiness to withstand ongoing risks and threats, and safeguarding the continuity of essential services for citizens.

A Four-Pillar Strategy

Looking ahead, the Minister outlined Bahrain's integrated approach to building long-term water resilience through four key pillars: diversifying water and energy sources, expanding treated wastewater reuse projects, replenishing groundwater reserves, and building strategic water stockpiles—giving the Kingdom the flexibility to adapt to future climate and security challenges.

Why This Conference Matters

The Dushanbe conference brings together world leaders and policymakers to accelerate progress on the UN's global water action decade. Bahrain's participation signals that water security, especially in conflict-exposed regions, must sit at the heart of the international agenda.