Paper short abstract:

The paper establishes the link between Egypt’s revolution and water scarcity, a cause for the revolution, which might pose a threat to future stability. It assesses the legal framework and water policies, crucial for the implementation of a sustainable strategy for an equitable provision of water.

Paper long abstract:

The present water situation is a decisive factor in the uprisings in the MENA region. Population levels are increasing rapidly while simultaneously natural resources are declining - implementing a sustainable strategy for an equitable provision of water is crucial. Consequently, the right to water must be integrated into the legal framework and water policies, addressing the lack of awareness and unwise resource allocations.

Relevant issues dealt with in the paper include transboundary water agreements, competition over access to water, sustainability, climate change, privatization.

The paper seeks to address the question of how the question of water can be addressed in Egypt's constitutional and political transition so as to best ensure the realization of the human right to water.

Water as a source of life and wealth cannot be overestimated in its strategic and political dimension in the 'Arab Spring'. The impact of water on transition processes is understudied:

1. The human right to water has been acknowledged. Prior research has been conducted on its content on a more general basis, however there is a need for research to be conducted on its application in Egypt.

2. Certain elements of the 'Arab Spring', especially the role of social media, have been analysed extensively, but not the role of environmental factors and access to water.

The paper aims at creating the link between the uprisings and water scarcity, a cause for the revolution, which might pose a threat to future stability if not included in the Egypt's changing and emerging legal framework.