Water either brings peace or triggers conflict. A resource to be shared across states, regions and communities. A commodity that is increasingly scarce due to excessive withdrawals and the climate crisis. These are the themes at the heart of World Water Day 2024, which has been celebrated today, 22 March, since its inception by the United Nations.
In the international context in which water is an increasingly scarce supply, the watchword is cooperation.
“Peaceful cooperation on water can result in peaceful cooperation in all areas. More than 3 billion people in the world depend on water across national borders. However, out of 153 countries that share rivers, lakes and aquifers with their neighbours, only 24 countries report that they have cooperation agreements for all shared water resources,” the UN recalls on World Water Day 2024, pointing out that there is very little cooperation today.
Water plays an important role during conflicts and can become a triggering factor when interests do not converge and are irreconcilable. Or even when water is in short supply, as is happening in many parts of the world. These conflicts are also accelerated by the climate crisis and rising temperatures having a profound impact worldwide.
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