Nearly half of 33 countries expected to face extremely high water stress by 2040 are in the Middle East, where surface water is limited and demand is high, said experts who ranked 167 nations.

Thirteen Middle Eastern countries plus the Palestinian Territories are projected to face extremely high water stress in 25 years’ time, and eight fell in the global Top 10: Bahrain, Kuwait, the Palestinian Territories, Qatar, UAE, territory claimed by the Israeli regime, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Cyclone Ashobaa is now just 160km away from Oman, with heavy rain and high winds expected, according to the latest update from meteorologists.

Satellite imagery as well as weather station observations in the region reveal the storm is currently to the south-east province of the UAE’s southerly neighbour.

The developing Cyclone Ashobaa off the coast of Oman was being monitored by forecasters on Tuesday morning in case fresh weather warnings need to be issued in the UAE.

The tropical storm has been increasing in intensity over the Arabian Sea and is predicted to strengthen as it edges closer to Oman during the next 24 hours.

The UAE’s response to the energy challenges of the future is to host an international organisation that promotes renewable energy. It’s much more than a symbolic venture for one of the world’s largest oil producers.

As always with VIP openings, there is an element of theatre to this evening’s formal inauguration of the global headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency – Irena.