24. 西亚是地球上最缺水的地区，在 22 个国家中有 18 个低于每人每年 1 000 立方米的“水贫困线”。在“十年”期间，该区域受到人口增长、城市化、气候变化以及冲突的不利影响；冲突在该区域的许多地区都对水资源产生了负面影响。在实现千年发展目标中提供水和卫生设施的具体目标方面，只取得了很小程度的进展；自“十年”开始以来，该区域一直处于全球平均水平以下。但是，仍然做出了有关努力，西亚经济社会委员会(西亚经社会)与阿拉伯水理事会合作，努力实现“实现阿拉伯区域水安全、应对可持续发展挑战和今后需求的阿拉伯战略(2010-2030)”中设定的目标。
24. Western Asia is the most water-stressed region on the planet, with 18 of its 22 countries below the “water poverty line” of 1,000 cubic metres/person/year. The region has been adversely affected, over the course of the Decade, by population growth, urbanization and climate change, as well as conflict, which has had a negative impact on water resources in many areas of the region. Only a small degree of progress has been made with regard to achieving the Millennium Development Goal targets of access to water and sanitation; and the region has remained under the global average since the commencement of the Decade. Effort has not been lacking, however, and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) works hand in hand with the Arab Water Council to achieve the goals of the Arab Strategy for Water Security in the Arab Region to Meet the Challenges and Future Needs for Sustainable Development (2010-2030).