22nd Meeting of the Group of Friends on Water and Peace - Water Bankruptcy
On 27 March 2026, the 22nd Meeting of the Group of Friends on Water and Peace brought together around 60 participants at the Palais des Nations in Geneva to examine a pressing question: what happens when water systems can no longer recover?
Chaired by H.E. Ms. Anita Pipan, Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations in Geneva, and organized by the Geneva Water Hub, the meeting focused on the emerging concept of “water bankruptcy” and its implications for global stability and cooperation.
Rethinking water scarcity: from stress to bankruptcy
The keynote presentation was delivered by Kaveh Madani, Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health and 2026 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate. He introduced the concept of Global Water Bankruptcy, arguing that traditional terms such as “water stress” no longer adequately capture the scale of current challenges.
Water bankruptcy, as defined in the discussion, combines two dimensions:
- Insolvency, when demand exceeds available supply
- Irreversibility, when environmental degradation prevents recovery
In this context, many water systems are already operating beyond sustainable limits. Addressing this reality requires not only technical adjustments, but a fundamental shift in governance and perception. Water must be understood not only as a risk factor, but also as a strategic entry point for cooperation, capable of aligning national priorities and moving beyond zero-sum dynamics.
Water, conflict, and governance: key perspectives
The panel discussion brought together leading experts to explore the broader implications of water bankruptcy.
Mark Zeitoun, Director General of the Geneva Water Hub, emphasized the urgency of protecting water systems in conflict settings. He highlighted the direct and predictable consequences of attacks on water infrastructure for civilian populations and public health, underscoring the need to reinforce existing legal and policy frameworks.
Bruce Gordon, former Vice-Chair of UN-Water, called for a stronger and more coherent public narrative around water. He stressed that water-related challenges disproportionately affect the most vulnerable populations and advocated for human rights–based, upstream approaches. He also noted the importance of translating general commitments into concrete, measurable actions by States.
Dominique Bérod, Chief of Hydrological Monitoring at the World Meteorological Organization, highlighted the central role of reliable data. Effective monitoring systems, he noted, are essential for informed decision-making, cooperation, and long-term governance.
A defining challenge for peace and stability
The discussions converged on a clear conclusion: the degradation of water systems is no longer a distant risk but an immediate governance challenge with direct implications for peace and security.
Ensuring the protection, equitable management, and sustainable use of water resources is therefore not only an environmental priority, but a prerequisite for stability, resilience, and development.
As highlighted throughout the meeting, there can be no peace without water—and no sustainable water management without cooperation.
