UN Recognition & New Member: Global Alliance to Spare Water from Armed Conflicts Achieves Milestones!
Global Alliance to Spare Water from Armed Conflicts Achieves Key Milestones
The Global Alliance to Spare Water from Armed Conflicts — co-led by the Geneva Water Hub with a coalition of Member States and organizations — continues to gain momentum on the international stage.
Recognition by the United Nations
The 2025 UN Secretary-General’s Report on the Protection of Civilians features the Alliance prominently, underscoring its role in strengthening the protection of water resources during armed conflicts.
- Paragraph 18 recognizes the Alliance as "a coalition of Member States and organizations launched to strengthen the protection of fresh water and related infrastructure."
- Paragraph 65 highlights the Alliance’s process as an example of effective collaboration among states and partners to address critical humanitarian issues.
Welcoming Kuwait
The Alliance also welcomed the State of Kuwait as its newest member this June, reinforcing the growing commitment of states to advance the protection of water infrastructure during conflicts.
Urgency of the Mission
The UN report documents recent attacks on water systems in conflict zones:
- Over 2.5 million people in Khartoum lost safe water due to dam attacks.
- Water production in Gaza fell to 25% of pre-conflict levels.
- Deliberate targeting of agricultural water systems occurred in multiple regions.
A Growing Coalition
The Global Alliance to Spare Water from Armed Conflicts brings together states, UN agencies, NGOs, and research institutions. Partners include the Geneva Water Hub, which plays a central role in coordinating this global effort to ensure water is protected as a humanitarian priority.
Next Steps
These milestones mark the beginning of a long-term mission. The Geneva Water Hub and its partners will continue to advocate for stronger international norms and practical measures to shield water from the impacts of armed conflict.