Navigating the Polycrisis: MENA at a Crucial Crossroads

Ferid Belhaj

No 2415, Policy briefs on Commodities & Energy from Policy Center for the New South

Abstract: The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is at a critical juncture, facing an intricate polycrisis defined by interlinked challenges including energy insecurity, water scarcity, migration, conflict, and socio-political fragmentation. These crises are not isolated; their interconnectedness amplifies their impact, creating a destabilizing feedback loop that hinders sustainable development and peacebuilding efforts. This paper explores the concept of polycrisis through the lens of Edgar Morin’s complexity theory, examining how multiple crises in MENA converge and intensify one another. Key themes include the region’s energy dilemma amid global transitions, the strategic implications of acute water scarcity, climate-induced migration, and the persistent conflicts that fragment regional governance. The analysis highlights the compounded effects of these challenges on the region’s economic stability, environmental sustainability, and geopolitical dynamics. The role of non-state actors, external powers, and regional institutions is critically assessed, emphasizing the importance of integrated, cooperative approaches in addressing the polycrisis. The paper concludes by advocating for renewed regional collaboration, particularly through frameworks such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and by strategic adaptation to external geopolitical shifts. By acknowledging the interdependencies of MENA’s crises, this study underscores the urgency of comprehensive, multilateral responses to secure the region’s future, amid escalating global and regional pressures.

Date: 2024-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ara and nep-env
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