Water can serve as a powerful force for fostering peace and security by playing a key role in conflict prevention and encouraging cooperation among various communities and countries. However, this potential can only be realized through fair and sustainable management.
Water can serve as a transformative force for peace and security, essential in conflict prevention and fostering cooperation among communities and nations—but this can only happen if it is managed fairly and sustainably, according to a new study.
A group of experts has created a framework aimed at guaranteeing safe, fair, and sustainable global access to clean water. Their seven-point strategy outlines how effective governance of water issues can prevent conflicts that arise from limited access and unfair distribution.
In their findings published today in Nature Water (29 Nov), an international team of experts from France, Germany, India, Nigeria, Sweden, the USA, and the UK, led by the University of Birmingham, proposed the following seven strategies to promote peace and security:
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Work together at the local level to tackle global water issues, which can help mitigate conflict, empower communities, and enhance resilience. Poor governance of water resources can result in unfair competition and significant adversity for vulnerable populations.
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Engage communities in creating water governance strategies to avert conflicts during times of drought—shared risk assessments, better public communication, and citizen science initiatives can improve transparency and build trust.
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Combine local expert knowledge and nature-based solutions with modern technical infrastructure to boost community resilience. Techniques used in traditional water management in regions like Nepal and Peru have proven effective in tackling local water issues.
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Take into account existing disparities when formulating national and local policies to prevent conflict and enhance trust—successful cooperative water initiatives, such as the EcoPeace project in the Middle East, which is nominated for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, are a prime example.
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Ensure women and girls have safe access to water, as they usually shoulder the responsibility of water collection. Addressing issues of safety, gender equity, and access in water governance policies is crucial for safeguarding and empowering women.
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Improve predictions regarding water-related changes and enhance local preparedness for increasing water challenges by merging advanced remote sensing data with local insights and investing in adaptive infrastructure.
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Encourage conflict prevention through international treaties and collaborative management of transboundary river systems—for example, the Indus Waters Treaty between Pakistan and India, as well as the shared governance of Lake Titicaca by Peru and Bolivia.
Lead author Professor Stefan Krause from the University of Birmingham, who co-chairs the UNESCO UniTwin network on Ecohydrological Interfaces, stated: “Water can be an effective tool for peace when managed sustainably and equitably, but competition for this essential resource is on the rise, as are conflicts over waterbodies, which are vital ecosystems hosting diverse life forms.”
“Our research outlines a plan for leveraging water to enhance cooperation and avert disputes, leading to a more equitable and resilient future for everyone. Collaborative efforts in shaping shared water management visions guarantee fairness and endorsement of decisions.”
The researchers highlight the significance of initiatives like the UN Water Convention in averting conflicts and fostering collaborative water management. They emphasize that the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) ‘HELPING’ initiative focuses on community involvement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative strategies to address water-related challenges.
Co-author Professor David Hannah, Director of the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA) and UNESCO Chair in Water Science, remarked: “The seven recommendations we outline present routes to transition from water crises to sustainable solutions, balancing water as a valuable resource for people and its function as an essential ecosystem.”
“Incorporating elements such as community action, indigenous knowledge, open science, and participatory techniques for sustainable water governance will support global efforts in achieving UN sustainable development goals and using water as a means for peace.”
