UN 2023 WATER CONFERENCE

Do you want to know how we can turn the tide and restore the water-cycle in a conflict affected area?
We are organizing a side-event at the UN Water Conference in New York City in collaboration with HCSS – The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, Anthesis and Tamatta. Our event will take place on Friday the 24th of March from 9:30 to 10:45 EST in Side-room B in the UN Headquarters and will feature a presentation and panel discussion with high-level speakers on the topic of Nature-based Solutions for Water and Peace.

The thematic focus of this event is the reciprocity between the state of the biosphere, global freshwater distribution and social stability—corresponding to the interactive dialogue themes three and five, ‘Water for Climate, Resilience and Environment’ and ‘Water Action Decade’, respectively.

This side event uses a practical and well-researched case-study for the Sinai Peninsula to demonstrate how we can turn the tide of soil degradation and water scarcity while taking into account the social, economic, political and security dynamics of a region. The case study goes beyond the call for action and addresses the role of humanity as active climate-influencing agents. Topics that will be addressed include e.g., the opportunity for the offshore industry and water sector to play a leading role in the regeneration of ecosystems worldwide; how data, science and technology can be redirected to support the design ecosystem-based management approaches; novel blended finance arrangements; and future-proof investment strategies for Nature-based Solutions.

Wide-spread land degradation, biodiversity loss and soil erosion puts pressure on the availability of fresh water resources, which poses a direct risk to human livelihoods—especially those of vulnerable communities. Their lower adaptive and coping capacity to mitigate these risks also make them more susceptible to the emergence of conflict. Consciously resituating ourselves as stewards of the Earth by leveraging the power of the biosphere through large-scale restoration is key to enhance food and water security and thereby lay the foundations for a peaceful society. This requires multi-disciplinary, cross-scale, security-proof collaboration amongst indigenous communities, governments, industries, financial institutions and academics, such that efforts to improve the water situation in fragile contexts don’t lead to further strains and stresses at local level.

Wide-spread land degradation, biodiversity loss and soil erosion puts pressure on the availability of fresh water resources, which poses a direct risk to human livelihoods—especially those of vulnerable communities. Their lower adaptive and coping capacity to mitigate these risks also make them more susceptible to the emergence of conflict. Consciously resituating ourselves as stewards of the Earth by leveraging the power of the biosphere through large-scale restoration is key to enhance food and water security and thereby lay the foundations for a peaceful society. This requires multi-disciplinary, cross-scale, security-proof collaboration amongst indigenous communities, governments, industries, financial institutions and academics, such that efforts to improve the water situation in fragile contexts don’t lead to further strains and stresses at local level.

But that’s not all! The Sinai Peninsula in Egypt will also be used as a case-study in a Serious Game hosted by HCSS on Wednesday the 22nd of March at 15:00 – 17:00 CEST (10:00-12:00 EST).

“An innovative decision-making tool to enhance the role of water as a source of peace and cooperation.”

Participants can take part in a moderated serious game, where they will be given the opportunity to provide their own input on this complex topic. The results of the game will be integrated into the panel discussion on Friday.

The goal of the game is to:

1. Create awareness and understanding of the complexities behind conflict-sensitive water management decision making in climate-vulnerable areas;
2. Stimulate the development of innovative ideas that could support conflict sensitive water management strategies in the Sinai.

Join us there to learn more about the importance of Nature-based Solutions for Water and Peace, and to take part in a dynamic and engaging discussion with experts in the field.