WGS 2023 in Dubai: Mena faces unprecedented drought, water scarcity, air pollution, says World Bank president

WGS 2023 in Dubai: Mena faces unprecedented drought, water scarcity, air pollution, says World Bank president

The World Bank Group president on Wednesday said the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) countries need innovative solutions and the right institutions as the region faces unprecedented environment and challenges.

“The Mena region is facing unprecedented droughts, water scarcity, desertification, coastal erosion, and air pollution. This crisis requires a new way of thinking, innovative solutions and the right institutions to implement them. Current and future governments need to balance complex goals,” said David Malpass, president of the World Bank Group.

He said as countries look for ways to ensure food security and protect the poor in today's high-price environment, untargeted and inefficient subsidies are straining tight budgets, distorting global markets and destroying the private sector.

“This is an intricate balancing act in turbulent waters. Governments need to act with impact through these complexities and create conditions for sustainable and inclusive growth.”

While speaking on the third day of the World Government Summit in Dubai on Wednesday, Malpass asked countries, especially in the Mena regions, to make the government-owned companies more market-oriented and financially strong.

“An important part of the effort to build efficient markets, particularly for the Mena region, is transforming state-owned enterprises into well-governed, market-oriented and financially sound enterprises.”

State-owned enterprises (SOEs) in the