Water and peace

Water diplomacy tools

Many countries are highly dependent on water resources that they share with other countries. They therefore have a strong interest in cooperation around the shared lake, river, or aquifer.

Martina Klimes, PhD

Senior Manager/Advisor - Climate, Water, and Peace

martina.klimes@siwi.org +46 (0) 8 121 360 94

At a time of growing water scarcity, most of these water resources are coming under greater pressure and the affected countries should have every incentive to improve water management. Various water diplomacy tools can be applied by external actors to contribute to water cooperation.

Linking technological and political processes

One of the main challenges of water dialogues is to build trust, which also requires a shared understanding of the issues at hand. It is essential that the political tracks of water diplomacy can draw on technical and scientific knowledge of water resources, ecosystems, energy production and other factors. While the importance of good water governance is increasingly recognized, the rapidly growing challenges related to increased water demand and climate-induced water variability can make it difficult for negotiators to identify which solutions should have the necessary political support. Diplomats and policy makers benefit from cooperating with scientists and water experts to create shared knowledge on how climate change impacts the hydrological cycle, so they can properly assess both risks and opportunities.

Creating shared knowledge

There are many tracks and tools to help stakeholders develop a shared understanding of the challenges faced by a region, including joint activities such as fact-finding missions, study tours, and scientific seminars. Dialogue mechanisms can be strengthened by having support from technical experts, researchers from different disciplines, and foreign policy actors who can support discussions on how different sectors and actors can work together more effectively. An open-ended question is how the water community can better support different water diplomacy processes that contribute to stability, community resilience, conflict transformation, peacebuilding, and regional cooperation.

The role of non-state actors (placeholder, more content to be added)

There are many examples where non-state actors play an important role in bringing communities and decision-makers together around shared environmental objectives.

Facing an imminent environmental disaster can create momentum for a dialogue process and non-state actors can often play a vital role in building community support.

The role of external actors

In recent years, more and more external actors with various roles and mandates, seek to support water dialogue processes. To play a constructive role, it is essential they have a good understanding of the causes of any armed conflicts or political tensions in the region, including to what extent they relate to water or not. In cases when competition over shared water resources is an underlying cause of the conflict, it is important to identify how different groups are impacted by the situation and who would derive benefit from sustaining the conflict. It is crucial that different external actors collaborate and apply knowledge from the most recent research and best-practice examples.

Experience sharing and networks

SIWI works actively to raise awareness of the benefits of transboundary water cooperation whilst strengthening the understanding of shared water resources, including the impacts of climate change. This creates an enabling environment for mutually beneficial collaboration.

The Eastern Nile Journalists Network was formed after journalists in the region took part in a water diplomacy workshop organized by the Shared Waters Partnership. Through this ongoing project, reporters participate in workshops and field trips to improve their understanding of water issues. They gain access to an international network of experts and can collaborate with colleagues in other countries to find sources and check facts. The aim is to strengthen their reporting so that journalists can monitor political decisions and help the public understand the issues at stake.
The Women in Water Diplomacy Network in the Nile works to elevate women’s leadership in high-level decision-making in transboundary waters.
Strengthening Communication Resilience – how communication, transparency, data sharing and inclusion supports peace