A survey has been carried out basic findings of global warming and its implications to the coastal zone with particular emphasis on sea level rise. The vulnerability of the Arab countries to potential impacts of sea level rise and frequency of extreme events has been considered. It was well recognized that many locations in the Arab region are highly vulnerable to the potential impacts of sea level rise, salt water intrusion and increase of frequency and severity of storm surges. In addition it was also well recognized that the population at large and stakeholders and decision makers in particular are unaware of the kind of risk they will be exposed to in the future. The Nile delta region in Egypt as well as the northern part of Mauritania and many coastal sites in the Gulf countries and North Africa are found to be highly vulnerable. The vulnerability is not only due to direct inundation of large areas but also due to salt water intrusion and its potential impact on groundwater resources and soil salinization. The impacts are reflected on land productivity, income and health conditions of the population. Implications of increasing severity and frequency of extreme events will also be reflected in higher risk of droughts, water scarcity, flash floods, increasing mortality and economic losses.

The objective of this report is to identify and assess some of the main vulnerable areas to sea level rise in the Arab world. A survey of a country by country case studies, based on initial national communications and second national communication as well as recent published literature is also presented. The main objective is to identify vulnerabilities to sea level rise and to assess adaptation measures and point out the urgent need to build up institutional and human capacities to approach the problem and to identify gaps, points of strength and points of weakness, options of adaptation and needs for sustainable development. A SWOT analysis identifying points of weakness and points of strength of various aspects of climate adaptation in the Arab countries has also been worked out. A critical analysis of threats and opportunities for action in the Arab world has also been presented. It was concluded that: