SOMA Newsletter

Author

Soma Mater
February 09, 2026

Welcome to the SOMA MATER weekly newsletter.

At SOMA MATER, we specialize in delivering comprehensive research and advisory services with a focus on Food & Water Security and Net Zero Transition in the MENA Region. In order to support our subscribing clients in navigating these topics and understanding the regional narrative, we produce monthly Food and Water Security and Net Zero Transition Intelligence Reports, along with our in-depth analysis and insights.

This weekly newsletter highlights the top 3 stories from the past week in Food and Water Security and Net Zero transition, along with SOMA MATER's analysis and perspective.

Why is the term "water crisis" insufficient to describe the situation facing the MENA region?

What is Saudi Arabia’s recent narrative as fiscal pressures reshape its ambitious megaprojects?

Why does Egypt's 60-year-old agricultural law need reform in the face of modern climate and water challenges?

Sustainably yours,

The SOMA team

Water You Going To Do About It: Why 'Water Crisis' Doesn't Cut It Anymore

#FoodandWaterSecurity

The MENA region faces significant water challenges. By 2050, water scarcity is projected to significantly reduce GDP, with Iraq and Syria bearing the heaviest burden. Agriculture—a cornerstone of these economies—is already declining, and as water becomes increasingly valuable, the risk of conflict grows. The need for robust regional water diplomacy is urgent.

Water scarcity is affecting every country across the Middle East. Turkey's capital faces its worst drought in 50 years, with dam levels at just 1.12% and residents queuing at public fountains. Iraq's water reserves have hit an 80-year low at 4 billion cubic meters, displacing thousands. Morocco endured 7 years of drought that slashed wheat harvests and decimated cattle herds before rainfall finally arrived this January. In each case, growing populations compound the pressure on dwindling resources.

A recent United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health report frames this reality: we have entered an era of "Global Water Bankruptcy". The familiar language of "water crisis" no longer captures what is happening—long-term overuse has caused irreversible damage to rivers, aquifers, and wetlands. With around 70% of major aquifers in decline and groundwater providing half of global domestic water, the path forward requires not just mitigation but adaptation to new constraints. Water-related risks are now systemic, demanding fundamental shifts in how we manage this vital resource.

SOMA’s Perspective:

A ‘crisis’ implies a temporary disruption that can be weathered and overcome. Whereas what is trending in the data is increased population, increased water demand, increased spend — all while we continue to draw down aquifers and deplete the natural water infrastructure that sustains us. The terms "scarcity" and "crisis," while useful in technical circles, fail to convey the severity of what we are trying to avoid. This report is a good opportunity to draw urgency to our situation.

Sources:

https://www.arabnews.jp/en/middle-east/article_162129/#:~:text=A man walks with empty,public fountains to fill pitchers.

Pipes and Pragmatism: Saudi Arabia's Desalination Triumph and Megaproject Pivot

#FoodandWaterSecurity #NetZeroTransition

Saudi Arabia is a global leader in water infrastructure, becoming the world's largest producer of desalinated water. The Kingdom has cut desalination energy requirements by nearly 50% while achieving the world's lowest production costs. This is supported by a network of over 19,000 kilometers of pipelines reaching heights of 3,000 meters, alongside 25 private sector contracts worth more than 104 billion riyals. The goals are clear: reduce water production costs by half and cut non-renewable groundwater use by 90% by 2035.

Yet financial realities demand recalibration. The NEOM megaproject, launched in 2017, is preparing to be scaled back after mounting delays and inflated costs. Low oil prices and stretched state budgets have tightened liquidity, prompting Riyadh to prioritize projects with more immediate returns. The Public Investment Fund faces increasing pressure to deliver visible results, and under new leadership since 2024, NEOM is pivoting toward a more grounded approach.

Despite these challenges, Saudi Arabia's regional influence continues to grow. In 2025, it hosted world leaders and spearheaded diplomatic initiatives including a conference to speed aid to Syria's new government. In regards to energy, Saudi’s strategy uses fossil-fuel export revenues to secure domestic energy supply. The Kingdom’s approach signals an understanding of what sustainable growth requires in practice.

SOMA’s Perspective:

Saudi Arabia is emerging as a regional power in both energy and diplomacy. Yet its geographic location subjects it to mounting geopolitical and resource constraints. How Saudi Arabia will navigate this is now giving way to the need for prioritization of projects with more immediate returns. Saudi Arabia's approach to using fossil-fuel revenues to secure domestic energy supply also shows an understanding of transition sequencing. It will be interesting to see how these strategies will apply to Saudi’s water infrastructure, where the returns are long-term and the risks of underinvestment are irreversible.

Sources:

https://www.mewa.gov.sa/en/MediaCenter/News/Pages/News13182020.aspx#:~:text=Alfadley highlighted the Kingdom's position,achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6.

Agricultural Update: When a 60-Year-Old Law Meets 21st Century Reality

#FoodandWaterSecurity

Egypt stands at a legislative crossroads. The former deputy head of the Senate's Agriculture and Irrigation Committee called for urgent reform of Agriculture Law No. 53 of 1966. The country faces a series of challenges that indicate the need for legislative reform: a persistent legislative gap, mounting climate pressures, and severe water scarcity compounded by its dependence on transboundary water resources and a fixed share of the Nile, which has been a source of conflict recently.

Workshop participants identified key priorities including climate-smart agriculture integration, expanded private sector engagement, digital transformation, and stronger links between research and innovation. With limited water and constrained arable land threatening food security, Egypt's agricultural framework must evolve to meet both environmental and economic realities.

Global population growth requires agricultural laws and policies to be reformed in order to enable sustainable agriculture without compromising environmental integrity⁠. Research shows that agriculture-specific laws must recognize inter-sectoral linkages and ensure policy coherence across environment, land, water, disasters, food, industry, investment, infrastructure, public-private partnerships, and local government administration. As global population pressures intensify, Egypt's legislative reform represents a critical step toward building resilience.

SOMA’s Perspective:

Older agriculture-specific laws were written without the compounding pressures of climate volatility and transboundary water tensions that now increasingly constrain food security—pressures Egypt faces directly. The workshop priorities are necessary, but they require a legal framework that enables rather than obstructs implementation. The challenge is ensuring the new legal structure recognizes the inter-sectoral dependencies that define modern agriculture: water, energy, land, investment, infrastructure, and disaster management. This reinforces the need for a systems approach—one that acknowledges the interconnectedness of these elements.

Sources:

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-032-03251-5_8#:~:text=To adjust to the exponential trends of,policies to enable sustainable agriculture is necessary.

SOMA MATER is writing Intelligence Reports on the topics of Food and Water Security and Net Zero Transition. If you’d like to know more, contact us through the link below:

https://wkf.ms/3BmPiPo