Co-operative water governance: catalyst for sustainable development and comprehensive security

The interlinkages between water and security are increasingly acknowledged, but there is a lack of a deeper understanding, in particular when it comes to the complex interplay of water governance, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and comprehensive security.

To raise awareness of the benefits of co-operative water governance for security and stability within and across state borders, this event brings together water and foreign policy experts. Two regional examples will showcase the importance of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaption to ensure sustainable development, which constitutes an integral part of a comprehensive approach to security:

• water co-operation in South-Eastern Europe and the lessons learnt during the response to the floods in May 2014,
• water co-operation between Ukraine and Moldova with a focus on the recent development of the strategic framework for climate change adaptation in the Dniester basin.

Based on these two cases, the event will

• draw conclusions about the economic and security benefits of co-operative water governance and increased resilience at different levels;
• discuss the roles of different stakeholders and mechanisms for their involvement;
• elaborate the role of water in a comprehensive security context and the synergies between water and foreign policy agendas.