JEDDAH, 29 September 2005 — Prince Khaled ibn Sultan, assistant minister of defense and aviation for military affairs, has called for finding effective solutions to the Middle East water problem and warned that water could trigger the region’s next war.

“The water problem in the Arab and Middle East region could cause the next war as it is more serious than border conflicts. So by solving water problems and managing water resources properly we can reduce that danger,” Prince Khaled, who is chairman of the Prince Sultan International Prize for Water, told a press conference in Cairo after a meeting of the prize committee.

The meeting endorsed the prize’s amended regulations and decided to hold an international conference on water along with the award ceremony.

Launched in October 2002, the prize acknowledges special scientific achievements in the provision, protection and preservation of adequate and sustainable water resources, particularly in arid regions. Prizes will be awarded in five categories: Surface water; ground water; alternative (non-traditional) water resources; water resources management; and protection of water resources. The winners will be announced in October 2006 and the award ceremony will be held in November 2006. The prize includes a cash award of SR500,000 for winners in each of the five branches apart from a gold medallion and a certificate.