Egyptian expert highlights challenges facing Arab countries

Arab countries are promoting nature-based solutions as a key tool for sustainable urban development amid climate risks, water scarcity, and rapid urbanisation, Zeina El Zein, Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning at Capital University in Egypt, said.

She made the remarks during an event held within the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, noting that Arab countries are particularly facing challenges such as rapid urban growth, climate change, water shortages, environmental degradation, and, in some cases, armed conflict and forced displacement, according to local media.

El Zein recalled that the Islamic Development Bank, together with UN-Habitat, has launched a new joint publication aimed at promoting practical and scalable approaches to addressing urban and climate challenges in the Arab region.

She noted that the purpose of the study was not only to collect information, but also to develop a regional understanding of the concept of nature-based solutions, taking into account local specificities.

According to her, the publication identifies four key categories: water management and resilience; restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems; urban greening and climate adaptation; and agroecology and sustainable land use.

“These directions reflect the real priorities of the region’s cities — tackling water scarcity, urban overheating, floods, ecosystem restoration, and improving quality of life,” she emphasised.

The expert also noted that many nature-based approaches have historically been applied in the Arab world.

“For example, water management systems in Oman, traditional water distribution channels in Morocco, and climate-resilient practices in Algeria,” El Zein added.

By Jeyhun Aghazada