8 July 2019: The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) has published two policy briefs on water resource management ahead of the 2019 session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). The briefs highlight the role of water diplomacy in resolving conflict and promoting joint management of shared freshwater resources, and the role of water management in achieving the SDGs. SIWI underscores the need for trust building and better cooperation among water actors, and for linking available technical knowledge with political discussions and decision making.

A policy brief titled, ‘Water Diplomacy: Facilitating Dialogues,’ notes that more than 50% of the world’s population relies on freshwater from transboundary basins, yet 60% of international river basins are not covered by any kind of cooperative management framework. The authors draw attention to the promise of multi-track water diplomacy processes, noting that many water diplomacy processes take place in an informal context or through non-state actors. They suggest that, to be effective, water diplomacy processes need to be flexible enough to respond to changing political landscapes and the impacts of climate change, and must take account of available technical knowledge. [Publication: Water Diplomacy: Facilitating Dialogues] [Publication Landing Page]

A policy brief on ‘Connecting the SDGs Through Resilient Water Management’ highlights the value of action on water in reducing poverty (SDG 1), promoting food security (SDG 2), ending inequality (SDG 10), taking climate action (SDG 13), stemming environmental degradation (SDGs 14 and 15), and promoting peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG 16). The authors call for: improving the effectiveness, fairness and transparency of water governance from the local to transboundary levels; “climate-proofing” water management tools and approaches; recognizing the value of water for social, environmental and economic prosperity; and taking a human rights approach to water that empowers women, youth, indigenous populations, and vulnerable groups. [Publication: Connecting the SDGs Through Resilient Water Management] [Publication Landing Page] [SIWI Blog Post]