Dubai, the future capital of global trade in water

The First CEO, Executive Director of the Dubai Center for Multiple Commodities, Ahmed bin Salim, confirmed the establishment of the “Water Center” of the Dubai Center for Multiple Commodities, pointing to the efforts that Dubai be the future capital for global trade in water.

Bin Salim explained that the “water center” is an integrated environmental system, which supports specialized companies in the water sector, enhances innovation and sustainable technologies, and encourages the exchange of knowledge and education, pointing out that the “water center” will become a leading regional center that brings together the pioneers of the water management sector, from the developers of water technologies to transport services and logistics service providers.

He said, “The water should be applied to the same principles that govern the trade of gold, diamonds and oil.”

Bin Salim continued: “From this standpoint, we are proud to sign a historical agreement with the Norwegian company (Freshwater), which guarantees the supply of a billion liters of natural drinking water to Dubai annually over the next 50 years. We are also working to establish a strategic partnership with (Aqua Endex).

He continued: «As a global commodity center, the Dubai Multiple Commodities Center provides a neutral and commercial environment, which allows international bodies to cooperate, innovate and produce with confidence, which is vital in light of the escalation of legal differences related to water.

Bin Selim said: “The world cannot allow water to turn into a reason for divisions, but rather a stimulating factor for international cooperation. In this context, the (Water Center) of the Dubai Center for Multiple Commodities possesses the ability to be a neutral mediator for development, trade and progress, while working to confront one of the most important humanitarian challenges, which is to ensure the right of everyone to clean waters and not consider it a privilege for some of them.

The First CEO, Executive Director of the Dubai Center for Multiple Commodities, stressed that the water turns rapidly into the most important commodity in the 21st century, saying: “It is not oil, or data, but water.

He added: «The demand for water is witnessing an unprecedented rise, driven by the expansion of cities and the needs of modern industries, such as artificial intelligence data centers, the manufacture of semiconductors, and the production of green hydrogen, all industries that consume huge amounts of water. With this increasing pressure on fresh water sources, this vital resource is no longer available as it was in the past, but rather rarely, it is subject to speculation, and it is also a growing source of geopolitical tensions.

Bin Selim pointed out that the UAE continues to establish its position as one of the most leading countries in the field of water solutions through huge investments in collecting rain water, reusing water in an innovative way, in addition to advanced desalination techniques.

He explained: «One of the most prominent examples of this is the (Al -Tawila) station in Abu Dhabi, which is the largest desalination plant in the world operating with reverse osmosis technology, and a production capacity of 900 thousand cubic meters of water per day, sufficient to meet the needs of one million people. He said: «The leadership of the UAE in the field of water solutions is not limited to its geographical borders, but rather extends to pioneering initiatives at the international level, by concluding (energy versus water) deals with commercial partners such as China, Jordan, and Israel. These deals are based on the principle of exchanging assets or support in the energy sector, in exchange for obtaining water resources or services related to them, which allows energy -rich countries to enhance their water security, while in return it provides energy for water rich in water.

Bin Salim added: “At the global level, the UAE has made tangible steps towards consolidating the water status as a global priority. At the Parties Conference (COP28), the UAE has led a historical agreement explicitly recognizing the pivotal role of water in adapting to climate change. The state also allocated $ 150 million through (Mohammed bin Zayed Water) to support innovative technologies in this field, and is also preparing to host the United Nations Water Conference in 2026 ».

Bin Salim stressed the importance of all countries to view water as a “strategic origin” no less important than other strategic goods, and it is a major engine for global sustainability and climate solutions, in light of the intensification of global efforts to deal with the scarcity of water and its effects on security.

Bin Salim stressed the importance of the need for a transparent, neutral water market based on clear legal foundations, saying: “With the exacerbation of the severity of the scarcity of water, which affected last year in about half of the world’s population, the need for fair organizational mechanisms to manage this vital resource is increasing. The absence of legal and transparent frameworks in water sharing has reflects itself in severe geopolitical tensions, as is the case in the Nile River basin, where the struggle for water rights between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan led to repeated diplomatic crises.

The historical agreement with the Norwegian “Freshwater” Freshwater guarantees the supply of one billion liters of natural drinking water to Dubai annually over the next 50 years.