In possibly the most arid region of the world, people and ecosystems in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) depend on the water provided by mountains more than others.

Not only does water from the mountains supply growing urban centers and agricultural production in the adjacent lowlands, but production of food and timber for construction and energy often only occurs at higher altitudes.

Likewise, mountains in the region are hotspots of biodiversity, that together with cultural heritage attract an increasing number of tourists travelling to the mountains for adventure and leisure. Mountains also provide shelter from the heat during summer months, and transhumance in mountains is a common approach to livestock management in the region.

Most global and regional models predict that the NENA region will be particularly affected by climate change, as the region is one of the most water stressed in the world, and food security systems and ecosystems are highly dependent on an already erratic and dry climate. The most significant impacts of climate change in the region will include: water resource stress, crop productivity decrease, migration pressures and an increased frequency of floods and landslides.