Make water an entry point for peacebuilding IHE Rector Eddy Moors tells COP16 on desertification
Effective peacebuilding requires proactive strategies to address water-related tensions before they escalate was the message IHE Delft Rector Eddy Moors, representing the Water, Peace and Security partnership, told the UN COP16 conference on combatting desertification in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in early December.
At the side event Addressing Water as a Tool for Peace during the conference, Moors highlighted that future projections can help identify regions at risk of conflict. He emphasized the importance of equipping ourselves with tools and methods to effectively respond to these risks. “For long-term peace, we need short- to medium-term interventions. Expanding partnerships, such as the Water, Peace and Security partnership, can play a crucial role in meeting this need,” he stated.
Based on data compiled in the WPS Global Early Warning Tool, WPS produces Quarterly Updates every three months to predict the likelihood of water-related tensions evolving into violent conflicts in the next 12 months. With 80% success, the tool fed by information from stakeholders on the ground informs decision makers in the region.
By 2050, water scarcity could increasingly trigger tensions which potentially lead to conflict unless urgent action is taken. During the session, panellists discussed how the future will look if we fail to act now and where the opportunities for water as an instrument for peace lie.
Water insecurity a risk multiplier
Today’s world faces an increasing convergence of challenges—climate change, land degradation, water scarcity and the rising complexity of conflicts. Water insecurity is a risk multiplier at all levels. Yet, amidst these challenges lies an extraordinary opportunity: to leverage water as a catalyst for cooperation, dialogue and peace, Moors told the session.
Since 2019, the Water, Peace and Security (WPS) partnership’s training programmes in peace dialogue in Kenya, Mali, Ethiopia and Iraq are producing positive results. In Kenya, WPS recently shared its advanced dashboard tool with stakeholders from the Water and Peace Directorates in Turkana County. Projects in Djenne and Mopti in Mali have removed tensions between local stakeholders. In Iraq, WPS has worked with NGOs to support communities in southern Iraq in addressing water-related tensions. In Ethiopia, WPS support has helped the Ethiopian government further develop its basin management plans, particularly in the Ome Gibe basin.
The importance of future scenarios
Water insecurity is inherently complex, influenced by environmental, social and political factors. The pressures of water scarcity, amplified by climate change and population growth, could trigger conflicts at local, regional and transboundary levels. However, Moors explained if we act with foresight, water-related risks can be transformed into opportunities for peace and cooperation.
Understanding water-related conflicts is not just about anticipating crises; it is about equipping ourselves with the tools and initiatives to respond effectively. Predictive insights allow the partnership and local stakeholders to design conflict-sensitive interventions, shape informed policymaking and activate early warning systems to prevent tensions from escalating.
The WPS integrated approach
The Water, Peace and Security (WPS) partnership works at the intersection of hydrology, conflict-sensitivity, data analysis and peacebuilding. An integrated approach is required to achieve sustainable peace in fragile contexts. This means addressing water-related risks through multiple, interconnected lenses.
Short to medium-term interventions for long-term peace
Effective peacebuilding requires proactive strategies to address water-related tensions before they escalate. The Water, Peace and Security (WPS) partnership provides three key tools to support:
- Global Early Warning Systems to identify emerging hotspots for water-related tensions by layering multiple data sources
- Long to short-term risks assessment tools to predict the risk of deadly armed conflict in the upcoming year
- Context-specific local models to deliver context-specific insights, helping to understand and design interventions tailored to the needs of communities and regions.
These tools are not standalone solutions. They need to be integrated into broader processes that address the underlying causes of water insecurity and conflict. By embedding these tools within complementary frameworks, such as inclusive policymaking, local stakeholders can transform data-driven insights into meaningful, lasting impact.
A call to action
At the UNCCD COP16, Moors called for a commitment to making water an entry point for conflict prevention and peacebuilding by:
- Investing in the tools and frameworks necessary to understand and address water risks effectively.
- Tailoring interventions to the needs of each context, ensuring inclusivity and equity.
- Collaborating across sectors and scales to embed water-sensitive peacebuilding and cooperation into global, regional, and local processes.
WPS calls on the peace and security community to help our peacebuilding efforts through investment, inclusivity and collaboration.