Water Demand Management for Enhancing Water Supply Security: Concept, Applications and Innovations Dr. Hamed. A. Bakir, World Health Organization Regional Centre for Environmental Health Activities Summary Abstract Water shortages in the Middle East and North Africa are caused by structural causes (nature and population growth) and non-structural causes (unwise and inefficient use, pollution, and over exploitation) brought about by the way water is managed. The supply driven approach, searching for new supplies to match the perceived demands, further worsened the natural water shortages and will not enhance water security in the water scarce region. Accessible freshwater sources are tapped beyond their capacity. Securing additional water from across national borders, while achievable, remains costly and risky. Desalinated water is a potential source but remains costly and out of the reach of most MENA countries until desalination costs are reduced. There is dire need for a major shift in water policies from supply to demand management approach within integrated water resources management. The search for additional water sources should not begin until perceived demands on water are challenged and all possibilities are exhausted for manipulating them in order to match them with existing supplies. Demands on water are manipulated through: • efficient allocation in quantity and quality amongst and within competing users of water (agriculture, industry, and domestic) to ensure water is used wisely and optimally for the public interest; • efficient water use by all users to eliminate wasteful consumption and reduce consumptive use of water; • sufficient and efficient environmental protection for pollution control and maximized safe recycling.