UN Security Council: Geneva Water Hub’s Global Alliance Gains Prominence

The United Nations Security Council will hold an Arria-formula meeting on 23 May 2025 to address the theme “Protecting Water in Armed Conflict.” This event marks a significant advancement in elevating the protection of water infrastructure and water-dependent services within the global peace and security agenda.

The meeting is part of the wider framework of Protection of Civilians Week 2025, organized by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The week convenes member states, UN agencies, humanitarian actors, and affected communities to focus on key challenges related to civilian protection in conflict settings. This year, the spotlight on water marks a crucial evolution in the discourse.

At the heart of this diplomatic development is the Global Alliance to Spare Water from Armed Conflicts, a multilateral initiative co-founded by the Geneva Water Hub, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Swiss Confederation. The Alliance serves as a platform for states, humanitarian organizations, legal experts, and civil society to coordinate efforts aimed at safeguarding water resources during armed conflict.

The Role and Impact of the Global Alliance

The Global Alliance promotes the protection of freshwater systems and critical water-related infrastructure, disseminating legal and technical tools to enhance resilience and uphold international humanitarian law. It has supported high-level dialogues, advanced political commitments, and contributed to operational frameworks designed to reduce the weaponization of water in conflict zones.

The Arria-formula meeting at the UN Security Council explicitly references the Alliance’s work—recognizing its role in bringing water protection to the center of diplomatic attention. This moment reflects the growing acknowledgment that access to water is not only a humanitarian necessity but a geopolitical priority.

A Shift from Technical Expertise to Political Action

The Geneva Water Hub’s engagement in shaping this agenda demonstrates the power of science-based advocacy and coalition-building in influencing high-level policymaking. The Alliance’s work to bridge legal principles with humanitarian realities exemplifies how multilateral cooperation can move beyond normative declarations toward concrete protections on the ground.

As part of its broader mission, the Geneva Water Hub remains committed to transforming the protection of water from a peripheral concern to a core pillar of global peace and security strategies.

We extend our deep appreciation to all partners, and especially to the Republic of Slovenia and the Swiss Confederation, whose leadership and collaboration have been instrumental in this progress.

For more information on the Global Alliance to Spare Water from Armed Conflicts, visit: www.genevawaterhub.org/GASWAC