The Arabian Gulf University (AGU), in cooperation with the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE), has launched an advanced training programme titled “Groundwater Hydrology and Management in the Kingdom of Bahrain”, aimed at enhancing institutional and human capacities in the groundwater sector in the face of climate change challenges. The programme is supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

The programme, which runs until December, will train 20 promising Bahraini specialists and engineers in early to mid-career positions within relevant government entities. Participants will gain advanced skills in the characterisation and analysis of groundwater, the use of mathematical models to simulate aquifers to support decision-making, and modern principles of governance and sustainable groundwater management.

On this occasion, Prof. Waleed Khalil Zubari, Professor of Water Resources at AGU and lead trainer of the programme, emphasised that this training carries a high-level strategic dimension for the water sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He noted that it aims to prepare the next generation of water leaders to manage groundwater responsibly and sustainably, while strengthening resilience to climate change impacts. These impacts include declining rainfall leading to reduced recharge of groundwater, increasing demand from the agricultural sector due to rising temperatures, and the intensifying intrusion of seawater causing salinisation and deterioration of groundwater quality.

He added that addressing these challenges and developing adaptation strategies, such as artificial recharge and reducing agricultural demand through appropriate awareness, economic and technical tools, is of vital importance for Bahrain’s national water security. Preserving groundwater from degradation and ensuring its sustainability and readiness for emergencies is aligned with the objectives of advancing integrated water resources management in the Kingdom.

For her part, Eng. Laila Ali Sabeel, Director of the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Directorate at the SCE, stressed that groundwater is among the highest environmental priorities in Bahrain, given its critical importance, the need to maintain its quality, prevent pollution, and guarantee sustainability for future generations. She highlighted that deepening the scientific and technical understanding of this strategic resource forms a cornerstone of the Council’s efforts in developing effective environmental policies.

She further underlined the importance of institutional integration between the SCE, the Water Resources Council, and other relevant entities, as this plays a pivotal role in directing national efforts towards integrated and sustainable groundwater management, especially in light of increasing climate change challenges. 

Additionally, Eng. Sabeel noted that the partnership with AGU reflects the Council’s commitment to strengthening national capacities through specialised training programmes that support applied research and enable Bahraini talents to utilise the latest scientific, hydrological, and modelling tools, thereby contributing to informed decision-making and the formulation of effective and knowledge-based environmental policies.