Foreword

Perhaps no single issue is more important to human health, economic development, and peace and security than water. The centrality of water to almost everything we do can both divide and unite us. In many respects, this is a simple problem. Ensuring safe, reliable, and sustainable supply of water — a clean stream, a protected borehole, an engineering system to treat and safely return water back into the environment — all this has been done by people everywhere and was likely one of the first community cooperative activities.

But the world is changing. Growing demand, pollution, and mismanagement are increasing threats to our individual and collective water security. Dealing with water challenges requires working across physical, technical, and political boundaries with uncertain information under constantly changing conditions. It is a process — a process based on the ability of stakeholders to work across these boundaries, uncertainties, and complexities to make collective decisions for the benefit of all.

During my long career, I have witnessed the tensions that can arise from sharing water as well as the opportunities that can come from water that bring communities and countries together. I have seen how cooperative action can expand benefits, reduce risks, and strengthen relationships. I have also learned that getting there may not be easy. In the most challenging cases, water disputes may be driven by long-standing animosities or embedded within a complex set of broader economic, political, or security concerns — issues not traditionally within the domain of the water engineer. These challenges require bringing together unique skill sets and perspectives that may not normally be present.

This Handbook helps fill these gaps. In this thought-provoking edited volume, the editors and authors embark on a journey to explore the intricate intersections of science, policy, and politics in the field of water diplomacy. Drawing upon their expertise and experiences, they present a compelling case for a nuanced and inclusive approach to water governance that is sensitive and responsive to the different needs and interests of the stakeholders. The Handbook further supports innovative pathways and collaborative frameworks that promise to reshape our understanding of water as a source of cooperation rather than conflict.

Most of the authors have direct experience with negotiating across borders and sectors in diverse fields of the wider water sector and beyond. Whether it is managing a project within a community, leading an integrated water management process within a water body or government, or working across governments — these examples and tools can help.

As we navigate an era marked by unprecedented transformation, the importance of integrating diplomatic tools and approaches to strengthen sustainable water management cannot be overstated. In this regard, the timing of this Handbook could not be better. Now, more than ever before, is the time to move from dialogue to action. At the end of the day, it is the building and institutionalizing of these relationships that will sustain cooperation. We need to introduce this knowledge and experience into our dialogues on water and promote water as a diplomatic tool for bringing communities together. This Handbook is a guide for all of us — policymakers, practitioners, scientists, and concerned citizens alike — offering insights and recommendations that transcend borders and bridge disciplines.

Perhaps most importantly, the knowledge shared here will help strengthen our efforts across all of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This was our vision when I, working closely with many others across the globe, helped to advance water as a global sustainable development priority.

It is my sincere hope that this Handbook will not only inspire, inform, and educate but also encourage all of us to commit to the important process of relationship building around water. This would be a great step forward in building a world where water is managed equitably and sustainably for the benefit of all and becomes the foundation for a more peaceful and prosperous world.

Jan Eliasson
Former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and a longtime advocate for a water-secure, sustainable, and peaceful world.