ASIA – GEOPOLITICS: Water, the next major subject in global geopolitics

 

A column by Ioan Voicu, former Romanian ambassador to Thailand

 

A recent and convincing academic response to this fundamental question is provided by a collective research of 285 pages, brought together in the work entitled Climate diplomacy at the crossroads: a multidisciplinary perspective(Climate Diplomacy at the Crossroads: A Multidisciplinary Perspective), edited by Şuay Nilhan Açıkalın, published simultaneously by Bloomsbury Publishing Inc. in New York, London and Dublin in 2026. Dr. Açıkalın is currently a faculty member in the Department of International Relations at Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University.

 

This academic event is particularly welcome, both scientifically and politically, at a time when humanity is facing a serious water crisis on all continents, with particularly visible consequences in Africa and Asia, and of which the situation in India offers a striking example.

 

Yes ! Water can not only be a subject of diplomatic negotiations within the framework of multilateral diplomacy, but it is increasingly becoming a major subject of international cooperation, conflict prevention, sustainable development and human security.

 

It should be remembered that several global trends have placed water at the heart of multilateral diplomacy: demographic growth and urbanization are increasing the demand for fresh water; climate change is modifying precipitation patterns, causing droughts, floods and water shortages; transboundary rivers, lakes and aquifers are shared by many states, requiring cooperation; water is essential for food production, energy production, public health and economic development; competition for water resources can lead to political tensions and regional instability.

 

As a result, water diplomacy has established itself as a specific recognized area of ​​international relations. In the area of ​​multilateral diplomacy, the United Nations has included water among its permanent priorities, notably through initiatives such as: the 2023 United Nations Water Conference, the first United Nations conference on water in almost half a century; the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 6; activities coordinated by UN-Water; discussions in the UN General Assembly and other UN bodies regarding water security and sustainable management.

 

Many of the world’s major rivers cross national borders, making water-sharing agreements essential. These include: the Nile Basin Initiative, which brings together countries dependent on the Nile; cooperation between Southeast Asian states regarding the Mekong; the Danube agreements, under the aegis of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube; the Indus water sharing agreements between India and Pakistan.

 

These examples illustrate how water can be at the heart of long-term multilateral negotiations. Academic sources show that many researchers and diplomats now consider water as an issue of preventive diplomacy. If “water wars” remain relatively rare, Disputes over access, distribution, dam construction and pollution can exacerbate existing political tensions. Therefore, negotiations often aim to: establish equitable sharing mechanisms; early warning mechanisms; facilitate data exchange and scientific cooperation; prevent conflicts before they escalate.

 

The scholarly literature indicates that the term “hydrodiplomacy” is increasingly used to describe diplomatic efforts to manage shared water resources through dialogue, cooperation and international law. It combines technical expertise, environmental sciences, development policies and traditional diplomacy.

 

In the recent work mentioned earlier in this column, water is mentioned for the first time in the following context: “Climate change is not only an environmental challenge; it is a serious threat to global security. By exacerbating the shortage of water and food… (p. 3).

 

This idea continues in more general terms: “During the 20th century, industrialization and technological advances profoundly disrupted the Earth’s ecological balance, leading to an unprecedented increase in human impact on the environment. » Additionally, population growth, pollution and urbanization have exacerbated environmental challenges such as water scarcity, biodiversity loss and climate change, making them persistent global problems (p. 10).

 

The authors consider it relevant to mention that “developing countries face the immense challenge of lifting their citizens out of poverty and guaranteeing their basic needs, such as access to water, health care, sanitation, education and energy” (p. 25).

 

It is also recalled that “climate change has global impacts in many areas, from physical and mental health problems to food and water insecurity” (p. 110).

 

It is emphasized that “the terminology adopted has evolved over time, incorporating a diversity of concepts, including expressions such as green diplomacy, also called ecodiplomacy, energy diplomacy, climate diplomacy and water diplomacy” (p. 122). This is good news for the future.

 

Conclusion

 

There is a clear consensus: water is no longer just an environmental or technical problem. In the 21st century, it has become a strategic diplomatic issue affecting peace, security, development, climate change, human rights and international cooperation.

 

Faced with the increasing scarcity of water resources in many regions, water will likely occupy an even more important place on the multilateral diplomacy agenda over the coming decades.

 

For a specialist in multilateral diplomacy, water can be seen as a paradigmatic issue illustrating how global challenges require collective management through international institutions, legal frameworks and sustained diplomatic negotiations at bilateral and multilateral levels. It is imperative to go beyond statistics and take into account the populations, their hopes and the aspirations of the communities concerned. The idea is good. Excellent even.

 

This work, which has been reviewed, is a vibrant call to act with courage and discernment to build a fairer and more sustainable world.

 

Every week, receive our newsletterGavroche Hebdo. Register by clicking here