From March 22-24, the UN 2023 Water Conference took place at UN Headquarters in New York, co-hosted by Tajikistan and the Netherlands. Over 500 side events were organized in connection with the Conference, both in-person and virtually. HCSS is proud to have hosted and co-hosted a number of these side events, together with our partners.

On Friday, March 24th, HCSS strategic analyst Irina Patrahau participated in a panel on “Water, War, and Peace”. The official side event brought together experts from the frontlines of global water security to explore deep and growing links between water and conflict, and the essential strategies to reduce the risk of water-related violence and find paths to peace.

Water and energy systems are regularly targeted in the Russia-Ukraine war, Iraq, Africa, and elsewhere. Access to water has often been a catalyst for tensions and violence, and water itself has long been a target and tool of war. How are the links between water and security changing? In an increasingly water-stressed world, what essential strategies can reduce the risk of water-related violence and what are the paths to peace?

“Water security is not just about water – it’s about food, energy, health and human security.”

HCSS strategic analyst Irina Patrahau

As Irina Patrahau stated: “Water security is not just about water – it’s about food, energy, health and human security. Water-related security risks must be addressed through comprehensive cross-sectoral strategies.”

During the panel, organised by the Pacific Institute, togetherwith HCSS, Circle of Blue and the World Resources Institute, Patrahau presented the work of the Water, Peace and Security (WPS) consortium on water security in Iraq.

“The Water, Peace and Security approach combines early warning tools with causal models and participatory analyses in order to alleviate water-related security risks in vulnerable areas,” Irina Patrahau explained.

Other speakers in the panel included Peter H. Gleick (Pacific Institute), Liz Saccoccia (World Resources Institute) and Carl Ganter (Circle of Blue), who also acted as moderator.

Rewatch the full event here:

HCSS strategic analyst Irina Patrahau

The UN 2023 Water Conference comes at a moment when climate change is exacerbating a global water crisis that is severely affecting half the world’s population, and presented an unparalleled opportunity to advance water on the global sustainable development agenda.

The events attracted wide participation from around the world and left the participants feeling invigorated and inspired. Or, as HCSS special strategic advisor Tom Middendorp put it: “On the third day of the UN Water Conference we ran out of water quotes and one-liners, but we did not ran out of sense of urgency.”