Tensions over access to clean water are a global threat to world peace and stability, the UN has said, as it unveiled the United Nations World Water Development Report 2024, published by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water.
“As water stress increases, so do the risks of local or regional conflict. UNESCO’s message is clear: if we want to preserve peace, we must act swiftly not only to safeguard water resources but also to enhance regional and global cooperation in this area,” commented Audrey Azoulay, director-general of UNESCO.
According to the report, approximately 2.2 billion people still live without access to safely managed drinking water, and 3.5 billion lack access to safely managed sanitation.
As a result, achieving the UN goal (SDG 6) of ensuring access to clean water for all by 2030 is far from being attained, and there are concerns that these inequalities may continue to rise.
‘Managed sustainably and equitably’
“Water, when managed sustainably and equitably, can be a source of peace and prosperity,” added Alvaro Lario, president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Chair of UN-Water.
“It is also the literal lifeblood of agriculture, the major socio-economic driver for billions of people.”
Between 2002 and 2021, droughts affected more than 1.4 billion people worldwide, UNESCO said, and by 2022, approximately half of the world’s population experienced severe water scarcity for at least part of the year, and one quarter faced ‘extremely high’ levels of water stress, utilising over 80% of their annual renewable freshwater supply.
Climate change is expected to exacerbate the ‘frequency and severity of these phenomena’, posing ‘acute risks to social stability’, it noted.
Read More: What are the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Impact of water scarcity
In terms of how it affects socio-economic and geopolitical considerations, UNESCO said that water scarcity can lead to deteriorating living conditions, increased food insecurity, and heightened health risks.
Additionally, it serves as a driver of migration, leading to displacement of populations and placing additional strain on water systems and resources in resettlement areas, thus fuelling social tensions.
The United Nations World Water Development Report 2024 was unveiled to coincide with World Water Day, and can be found here.
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