Water is crucial to security. It has become a key
element not only in the fight against poverty, but also in the context
of peace and political stability. Due to demographic growth, economic
development, urbanisation, pollution and climate change, this resource,
which is limited and unevenly distributed across the globe, is under
ever-greater pressure.
Issues relating to water access are causing conflict in several
regions of the world. Even greater tensions can arise when water
resources are scarce, droughts occur or armed conflict prevents access.
Focus
Switzerland offers countries its support in managing their water
resources more effectively and in reducing tensions between different
users (private consumers, the energy industry, agriculture, etc.) at
both the national and regional levels. Through the Blue Peace initiative
launched in 2010, Switzerland is supporting both cross-border
cooperation and national platforms for dialogue on water access issues.
Blue Peace is based on the idea that managing water resources around the
world fairly and efficiently helps to achieve sustainable peace.
Switzerland has extensive experience in promoting dialogue and working
out compromises. It also has recognised water management expertise at
political level and in relation to academia, the private sector and
civil society. In 2015, Switzerland came together with 14 other states
to set up the Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace. In late 2017,
the panel published its recommendations in the final report 'A Matter of
Survival'.
'A Matter of Survival', final report of the Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace
The 'Swiss toolbox'
Switzerland has wide-ranging expertise in the peaceful management of
water resources shared with neighbouring countries. As stretches of two
major European rivers, the Rhône and the Rhine, flow through the
country, and a number of lakes extend across its borders, Switzerland
has long experience in transboundary water management and can assist in
developing solutions for other parts of the world.
Switzerland has a range of foreign policy instruments to meet the current challenges:
Development cooperation
The SDC works to improve access to water and sanitation and ensure equitable management of water resources.
Humanitarian aid
The Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit provides relief in crisis and conflict
situations to meet the water needs of the affected populations, and
works on preventive measures to minimise the impact of natural disasters
such as flooding.
Instruments to ensure human security and promote international law
These are used, for example, to promote dialogue in water-related conflicts.
Bilateral diplomatic relations with states
In countries facing major water and security-related risks, Switzerland systematically addresses these issues.
Bilateral and multilateral
The Swiss toolbox is used both bilaterally and multilaterally. At a
bilateral level, for instance, Switzerland's water diplomacy encourages
various consumers to cooperate on water management, thus contributing to
peaceful societies. In addition to Central Asia and the Middle East,
Switzerland is also carrying out activities in this field in Africa, and
more specifically Sub-Saharan Africa, a priority region for
Switzerland's international cooperation.
At multilateral level, Switzerland lobbied for the availability and
sustainable management of water and for access to sanitation to be
included in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It also plays
an active role in discussing the topic of water and security within
regional organisations, particularly the Organization for Security and
Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).