In Yemen, a country facing one of the world’s most acute water crises, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is at the forefront of supporting long-term solutions to ensure access to safe and sustainable water. With groundwater sources in critical decline and urban water systems under severe strain, desalination has emerged as a key avenue to address Yemen’s chronic water scarcity.

Yemen’s water crisis is both urgent and complex. Groundwater, the primary source of drinking water, is being depleted faster than it can be replenished. In the southern governorate of Aden, aquifers are projected to be exhausted by this year. Water infrastructure is also in dire need of rehabilitation, with over 40% of supply lost due to outdated and damaged networks. Meanwhile, the country’s last comprehensive water strategy was formulated in 2005 and remains outdated.

Despite these challenges, the shift from short-term humanitarian responses toward long-term development interventions—especially in climate resilience—has created new opportunities. Desalination, or the process of removing dissolved mineral salts from water, particularly through renewable energy sources, is becoming an increasingly viable and sustainable solution for Yemen’s future water security.
 
UNDP’s role in renewable energy-powered desalination

UNDP has been instrumental in laying the groundwork for renewable energy-based desalination in Yemen through a series of strategic initiatives. This includes the development of a comprehensive blueprint on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and Solid Waste Management for Aden Governorate, which serves as a foundational plan for improving water services in the city. In parallel, UNDP has conducted scoping and prefeasibility studies to assess the potential for sea and brackish water desalination in Aden, identifying technical, environmental, and economic considerations. Additionally, a Private Sector Engagement Analysis was carried out to explore investment opportunities and understand the challenges facing private sector involvement in the implementation of desalination solutions in the governorate.

UNDP’s efforts are backed by a vision to align water desalination with Yemen’s broader development goals, ensuring environmental sustainability, strengthening institutions, and the active involvement of the private sector.
 
Opportunities amid challenges

While Yemen continues to grapple with systemic issues such as inadequate billing systems and infrastructure damage, its geographic location offers a strategic advantage. With an extensive coastline along the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, Yemen has significant untapped potential for seawater desalination. The growing availability of solar energy—such as the two UAE-funded solar stations in Aden (120 MW)—further enhances the feasibility of eco-friendly desalination.

The prospects of leveraging international interest, selling desalinated water to industries, and recycling brine open doors for a broader investment ecosystem in the water sector.

Strategic support for a long-term visionBeyond infrastructure and technical studies, UNDP Yemen continues to provide critical support to the Government of Yemen in updating the National Water Sector Strategy and Investment Program, which will guide water sector investments and governance moving forward. The development of a national vision for water allocation is also underway to ensure efficient, equitable, and sustainable water use across sectors.

With a key role in water sector coordination for Yemen, UNDP facilitates collaboration among relevant ministries, international partners, technical experts, and stakeholders to ensure harmonized action, including working in close partnership with the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Advocating for Yemen at the MENA Desalination Conference

At the sixth Middle East and North Africa Desalination Conference, held in Abu Dhabi from 26–27 February 2025, UNDP Yemen played an active role in shaping regional conversations on the future of water security. As a supporting partner, UNDP joined industry leaders, experts, and decision-makers to explore cutting-edge solutions in desalination and sustainable development.

Ms. Bouran Mohammed, Water Resources Management Specialist – UNDP Yemen, represented UNDP during the event. She delivered a country briefing highlighting an integrated approach to addressing Yemen’s water crisis through renewable-powered desalination and the strengthening of institutions.

Technical panel discussions also engaged global experts to exchange insights on the latest innovations in desalination—particularly within fragile and climate-vulnerable contexts like Yemen.

This high-level participation reinforced Yemen’s voice in regional and global water dialogues, highlighting the importance of promoting sustainable, long-term solutions for one of the region’s most water-scarce countries.