On International Water Day, the United Nations emphasized the pivotal role of cooperation among nations in managing shared water resources to prevent conflicts and promote peace.
Highlighting the urgency posed by climate change and escalating water scarcity, the UN called on all countries to participate in its Water Convention.
Sonja Koeppel, Secretary of the UN Water Convention, emphasized the interconnectedness of water and peace, stressing that over 60 percent of the world’s freshwater resources are shared by multiple countries.
Major rivers like the Rhine, Danube, Mekong, Nile, and Amazon exemplify the significance of cross-border cooperation in ensuring regional stability and mitigating conflicts.
Koeppel underscored water’s potential to serve as a catalyst for dialogue between conflicting nations, citing examples such as the Indus River agreement between India and Pakistan.
She also highlighted the enduring cooperation among Senegal, Mauritania, Guinea, and The Gambia in jointly managing the Senegal Basin’s water resources despite political tensions.
Antonio Guterres, UN Chief, emphasized the need for intensified efforts to foster transboundary cooperation, noting that out of 153 countries sharing water resources, only 24 have signed cooperation agreements covering all shared waters.
Guterres urged all nations to endorse and implement the United Nations Water Convention to address the growing challenges of water scarcity and promote global peace.
