scholarly journals Challenges and Prospects of Using Treated Wastewater to Manage Water Scarcity Crises in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1971
Author(s):  
Asad Sarwar Qureshi
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Gulf Cooperation Council ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Regional Security ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Effective Response ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Gcc Countries ◽  
The World

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are located in the driest part of the world with an annual per capita water availability of 500 m3 compared to the world average of 6000 m3. Agricultural water demand, which is more than 80% of the total water consumption, is primarily met through the massive exploitation of groundwater. The enormous imbalance between groundwater discharge (27.8 billion m3) and recharge (5.3 billion m3) is causing the excessive lowering of groundwater levels. Therefore, GCC countries are investing heavily in the production of nonconventional water resources such as desalination of seawater and treated wastewater. Currently, 439 desalination plants are annually producing 5.75 billion m3 of desalinated water in the GCC countries. The annual wastewater collection is about 4.0 billion m3, of which 73% is treated with the help of 300 wastewater treatment plants. Despite extreme water poverty, only 39% of the treated wastewater is reused, and the remaining is discharged into the sea. The treated wastewater (TWW) is used for the landscape, forestry, and construction industries. However, its reuse to irrigate food and forage crops is restricted due to health, social, religious, and environmental concerns. Substantial research evidence exists that treated wastewater can safely be used to grow food and forage crops under the agroclimatic conditions of the GCC countries by adopting appropriate management measures. Therefore, GCC countries should work on increasing the use of TWW in the agriculture sector. Increased use of TWW in agriculture can significantly reduce the pressure on freshwater resources. For this purpose, a comprehensive awareness campaign needs to be initiated to address the social and religious concerns of farming communities and consumers. Several internal and external risks can jeopardize the sustainable use of treated wastewater in the GCC countries. These include climate change, increasing costs, technological and market-driven changes, and regional security issues. Therefore, effective response mechanisms should be developed to mitigate future risks and threats. For this purpose, an integrated approach involving all concerned local and regional stakeholders needs to be adopted.

The effect of Omani-Iranian relations on the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries after the Arab Spring

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Al-Bolushi
Keyword(s):  
Arab Spring ◽  
Gulf Cooperation Council ◽  
Foreign Affairs ◽  
The Other ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Regional Security ◽  
Internal Security ◽  
Gcc Countries ◽  
Gulf Countries ◽  
The Arab Spring

This research paper focuses on Gulf–Iran relations within the framework of the bilateral relationship between Oman and Iran. This relationship is unique as well as distinct from Oman’s relations with the other nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and has a direct influence on Gulf regional security. Oman’s relationship with Iran has grown stronger and firmer after the events of the Arab Spring. This comes at a time when the Gulf countries are suffering worsening internal security, political and economic conditions and disagree amongst themselves about how to deal with Iran. Hence, the Omani-Iranian rapprochement is intensifying the security anxieties of the GCC countries. This paper examines the conceptual frameworks for security and cooperation within the GCC. Oman’s view on security and cooperation is seen in its foreign policy which adheres to non-intervention and neutrality in foreign affairs. Omani-Iranian relations are analyzed in how they affect Gulf integration and the role played by Oman in the Iranian nuclear deal. The paper concludes by discussing Oman’s position on the current conflict in Yemen and its effect on Gulf security as well as Oman’s role in mediation between the parties in the conflict.

scholarly journals The Future of Oil and Fiscal Sustainability in the GCC Region

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tokhir Mirzoev ◽  
Ling Zhu ◽  
Yang Yang ◽  
Tian Zhang ◽  
Erik Roos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Oil Production ◽  
Gulf Cooperation Council ◽  
Fiscal Sustainability ◽  
Fundamental Change ◽  
Significant Challenge ◽  
Oil Market ◽  
Gcc Countries ◽  
The World ◽  
Oil Demand

The oil market is undergoing fundamental change. New technologies are increasing the supply of oil from old and new sources, while rising concerns over the environment are seeing the world gradually moving away from oil. This spells a significant challenge for oil-exporting countries, including those of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) who account for a fifth of the world’s oil production. The GCC countries have recognized the need to reduce their reliance on oil and are all implementing reforms to diversify their economies as well as fiscal and external revenues. Nevertheless, as global oil demand is expected to peak in the next two decades, the associated fiscal imperative could be both larger and more urgent than implied by the GCC countries’ existing plans.

Bilateral will dominate Gulf UK and EU trade advances

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Cooperation Council ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technology Transfers ◽  
Gcc Countries ◽  
Gulf Countries ◽  
The World ◽  
European Engagement ◽  
Rights Issues ◽  
The Eu

Significance The post-Brexit United Kingdom is eager to conclude economic agreements across the world under its promise to deliver a ‘Global Britain’. The EU wants to increase its visible commercial clout in the Gulf and strengthen its image as a significant geopolitical actor. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are ready to seize the opportunity to boost technology transfers. Impacts The Gulf countries’ increasingly serious shift towards green energy could be a major driver for increased European engagement. The GCC countries will seek further investment in their respective education sectors. Differences in perspective on human rights issues will lead to tension within the EU itself, as well as with the GCC.

scholarly journals The security problem in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries Study on internal challenges and future prospects

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (03) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ammar Hameed Yasein
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Cooperation Council ◽  
Regional Security ◽  
Future Prospects ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Internal Security ◽  
Regional Powers ◽  
Security Environment ◽  
Gcc Countries ◽  
Security Challenges ◽  
Security Problem

The importance of our research is that it examines the causes and sources of the security challenges in the internal security environment of the GCC countries, and aims to address the most important issues that are of great interest, namely, the issue of inter-GCC differences and addressing the issues of regional security for the Gulf region, After it is one of the most dynamic and more polarized areas for the emergence of threats and challenges because of the multiplicity of sources of threat and their complexity due to the specificity of the strategic environment and the negative repercussions it can have on the Gulf region, especially the issue of regional security of the Gulf Cooperation Council Which has become a magnet for competing international and regional powers to preserve their interests and ensure the achievement of their objectives. This has further complicated the internal security environment in the Gulf, especially the recent events represented by a package of measures taken by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain. As well as Egypt against Qatar, have begun to reveal to us the depth and root of differences, the size of internal challenges and the weakness of the ability of the GCC countries to meet their obligations in laying the foundations of a joint securitydefense system with the capacity to face these challenges collectively, Security challenges are therefore not only external regional or international, but internal with inter-GCC interface.

scholarly journals Qatar Diplomatic Crisis

2019 ◽  
Vol II (I) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Fazal Rehman Kakar
Keyword(s):  
Historical Context ◽  
Research Paper ◽  
Gulf Cooperation Council ◽  
Paper Analysis ◽  
Oil Field ◽  
Regional Security ◽  
Political Consequences ◽  
Gcc Countries

Qatar diplomatic crisis depicts a worrisome future of not only GCC countries, but it has posed a serious challenge to the regional security apparatus. This Research paper analysis the diplomatic row occurred between Qatar and Saudi led camp. Research Paper intends to highlight the historical context of the rift and reasons for diplomatic crisis yet again. The forthcoming socioeconomic and Political consequences for region particularly Qatar and future of Gulf Cooperation Council. The Diplomatic case will assess various mediations offered to resolve the conflict including Shuttle diplomacy and back channel means and last part will delineate the fresh thaw in making prior to an attack on Saudi key national asset ARAMCO oil field and Saudi-led camp's participation in Qatar Football tournament.

Conceptual visions of regional and global security

2020 ◽  
pp. 148-161
Author(s):  
Ihor Lishchynskyy ◽  
Mariia Lyzun
Keyword(s):  
Global Governance ◽  
Security Management ◽  
Visual Presentation ◽  
Regional Security ◽  
Visual Methods ◽  
Global Security ◽  
Global Issues ◽  
Security Governance ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
The World

Introduction. Under the influence of globalization and regionalization; the world economic development is becoming more dynamic but contradictory at the same time; creating new challenges and threats for both individual countries and entire regions. This exacerbates the urgency of forming flexible systems of security cooperation and finding solutions to regional and global security problems. Purpose. The purpose of the paper is to systematize research on regional and global security governance and a review of the balance of geopolitical forces in Europe. Methods. The research was carried out using the following methods: analysis and synthesis – to characterize the modern mainstream of theoretical intelligence in the field of regional security; comparative analysis – to compare the structures of regional security management in different parts of the world; deductions and inductions – to form a conceptual model of global governance; tabular and visual methods – for visual presentation of the material. Results. The paper considers theoretical approaches to the interpretation of regional security. It is noted that regional security governance is a set of institutions and activities at three levels: global; regional and national. A nomenclature of different types of regional security governance structures is presented; which includes a regional balance of power and ad hoc (informal) alliances; regional coherence; regional cooperative security; regional collective defense; regional collective security; pluralistic security community. It has been recognized that regional security management is provided not only by highly specialized or formal structures; but also by multi-purpose regional organizations; which initially pursued a combination of economic and political goals with growing security targets. Conceptual options for regional security governance at the global and regional levels are systematized. Based on the analysis of the mechanisms of global management; own vision of the relationship between the subjects of global governance processes is presented. Discussion. The crisis of recent decades has shown that no single group of global governance actors can act effectively to minimize global risks; which are both a challenge for business leaders and politicians in any country. That is why it is undeniable that global issues require global governance (especially in the field of security); the main goal of which should be to ensure global stability and sustainable development.

scholarly journals Using Blockchain-Enabled Solutions as SDG Accelerators in the International Development Space

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 4025
Author(s):  
Ahmet Faruk Aysan ◽  
Fouad Bergigui ◽  
Mustafa Disli
Keyword(s):  
International Development ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Use Case ◽  
Good Practices ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Hype Cycle ◽  
The World ◽  
Fit For Purpose ◽  
Development Approach ◽  
Case Development

As the world is striving to recover from the shockwaves triggered by the COVID-19 crisis, all hands are needed on deck to transition towards green recovery and make peace with nature as prerequisites of a global sustainable development pathway. In this paper, we examine the blockchain hype, the gaps in the knowledge, and the tools needed to build promising use cases for blockchain technology to accelerate global efforts in this decade of action towards achieving the SDGs. We attempt to break the “hype cycle” portraying blockchain’s superiority by navigating a rational blockchain use case development approach. By prototyping an SDG Acceleration Scorecard to use blockchain-enabled solutions as SDG accelerators, we aim to provide useful insights towards developing an integrated approach that is fit-for-purpose to guide organizations and practitioners in their quest to make informed decisions to design and implement blockchain-backed solutions as SDG accelerators. Acknowledging the limitations in prototyping such tools, we believe these are minimally viable products and should be considered as living tools that can further evolve as the blockchain technology matures, its pace of adoption increases, lessons are learned, and good practices and standards are widely shared and internalized by teams and organizations working on innovation for development.

Islamic Finance as a Vehicle to Promote Improved Intellectual Property Rights in the Gulf Cooperation Council

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 407-442
Author(s):  
Nadia Naim
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Property ◽  
Property Rights ◽  
Intellectual Property Rights ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Gulf Cooperation Council ◽  
Intellectual Property Protection ◽  
Islamic Finance ◽  
Growth Sector ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to assess how Islamic finance can act as a vehicle to enhance the current intellectual property rights regime in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Islamic finance has developed within the constraints of sharia law and has been a growth sector for the GCC. This article will identify the main principles of Islamic finance that contribute to the success of Islamic finance, which can enhance intellectual property protection in the GCC. The main sharia-compliant areas to be considered are musharaka, mudaraba, murabaha, takaful, istisna, ijara, salam and sukuk. The article will outline the founding principles of Islamic finance, the governance of sharia boards, development of Islamic finance in the individual GCC states, different frameworks of sharia-compliant investment products and the impact of intellectual property rights on the varying Islamic finance investment tools. Furthermore, the article will discuss an integrated approach to intellectual property rights which learns lessons from the Islamic finance sector in relation to infrastructure, regulation and sharia compliance. The lessons learnt from Islamic finance will inform the overall framework of recommendations for an Islamic intellectual property model. The use of Islamic finance as a vehicle to promote better intellectual property rights in terms of defining a new intellectual property approach is novel. It is aimed at spearheading further research in this area, and it will form a part of the overall integrated approach proposals to intellectual property protection in the GCC and beyond.

scholarly journals A Transformation of the Approach to Evaluating a Region’s Investment Attractiveness as a Consequence of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Economies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Dmitriy G. Rodionov ◽  
Evgenii A. Konnikov ◽  
Magomedgusen N. Nasrutdinov
Keyword(s):  
Social Environment ◽  
World Order ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Innovative Development ◽  
Social Infrastructure ◽  
Regional Environment ◽  
The Social ◽  
The World ◽  
The Status

The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused a transformation of virtually all aspects of the world order today. Due to the introduction of the world quarantine, a considerable share of professional communications has been transformed into a format of distance interaction. As a result, the specific weight of traditional components of the investment attractiveness of a region is steadily going down, because modern business can be built without the need for territorial unity. It should be stated that now the criteria according to which investors decide if they are ready to invest in a region are dynamically transforming. The significance of the following characteristics is increasingly growing: the sustainable development of a region, qualities of the social environment, and consistency of the social infrastructure. Thus, the approaches to evaluating the region’s investment attractiveness must be transformed. Moreover, the investment process at the federal level involves the determination of target areas of regional development. Despite the universal significance of innovative development, the region can develop much more dynamically when a complex external environment is formed that complements its development model. Interregional interaction, as well as an integrated approach to innovative development, taking into account not only the momentary effect, but also the qualitative long-term transformation of the region, will significantly increase the return on investment. At the same time, the currently existing methods for assessing the investment attractiveness of the region are usually heuristic in nature and are not universal. The heuristic nature of the existing methods does not allow to completely abstract from the subjectivity of the researcher. Moreover, the existing methods do not take into account the cyclical properties of the innovative development of the region, which lead to the formation of a long-term effect from the transformation of the regional environment. This study is aimed at forming a comprehensive methodology that can be used to evaluate the investment attractiveness of a certain region and conclude about the lines of business that should be developed in it as well as to find ways to increase the region’s investment attractiveness. According to the results of the study, a comprehensive methodology was formed to evaluate the region’s investment attractiveness. It consists of three key indicators, namely, the level of the region’s investment attractiveness, the projected level of the region’s investment attractiveness, and the development vector of the region’s investment attractiveness. This methodology is based on a set of indicators that consider the status of the economic and social environment of the region, as well as the status of the innovative and ecological environment. The methodology can be used to make multi-dimensional conclusions both about the growth areas responsible for increasing the region’s innovative attractiveness and the lines of business that should be developed in the region.

scholarly journals Implications for Sustainability of the Joint Application of Bioeconomy and Circular Economy: A Worldwide Trend Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7182
Author(s):  
Emilio Abad-Segura ◽  
Ana Batlles-delaFuente ◽  
Mariana-Daniela González-Zamar ◽  
Luis Jesús Belmonte-Ureña
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Green Economy ◽  
Economic Knowledge ◽  
Joint Application ◽  
Bibliometric Review ◽  
State Of Research ◽  
The Impact

The joint application of bioeconomy (BE) and circular economy (CE) promotes the sustainable use of natural resources, since by applying a systemic approach, it improves the efficiency of these resources and reduces the impact on the environment. Both strategies, which belong to the area of green economy, provide a global and integrated approach towards environmental sustainability, as regards the extraction of biological materials, the protection of biodiversity and even the primary function of food production in agriculture. The objective was to analyze the implications for sustainability of BE and CE joint application. A systematic and bibliometric review has been applied to a sample of 1961 articles, selected from the period 2004–May 2021. A quantitative and qualitative advance is observed in this field of study. The expansion of scientific production is due to its multidisciplinary nature, since it implies technical, environmental and economic knowledge. The main contribution of this study is to understand the state of research on the implications for sustainability that BE and CE have when combined, in relation to their evolution, the scientific collaboration between the main driving agents, and the identification of the main lines of research developed.

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