The potential damage from global warming and subsequent climate change on water resources in the MENA is among the most important challenges that face the countries of the region. Some scenarios indicate that dry regions of the world would become drier and in light of this possibility it would be even more difficult for water scare countries in the MENA to coupe with natural conditions with even less water than what is now available. The increase of cost of energy could halt the already slow economic progress in poor MENA countries and could lead to abandoning agriculture and migration from rural to urban areas. Climate change could result in decline in agriculture out of the MENA region as a result of droughts and extreme weather and low temperatures become more frequent. To coupe with water and food scarcity new paradigms for water resources management are needed including ways how to improve national economies and gain comparative advantages in global trade. Some countries like Sudan, Syria, Morocco and Tunisia have under utilized potential for increase in production of agriculture products such as cereals and grains, olive oil, meat, poultry, animal hide, fruits and fresh vegetables while other countries had accumulated vast capital funds necessary to drive a healthy economic growth in MENA region. Regional economic cooperation between MENA countries can help the region overcome negative impacts of climate change in the region. The paper discusses newly emerging concepts about virtual water and water footprints in an attempt to shed some light on possible advantages due to trade in food commodities among MENA countries and a better regional food security and overcome long term climate change impacts. Keywords: climate change, virtual water, water footprint, economic integration

The potential damage from global warming and subsequent climate change on water resources in the MENA is among the most important challenges that face the countries of the region. Some scenarios indicate that dry regions of the world would become drier and in light of this possibility it would be ev...