Geneva Water Hub, a Centre of Competence on Water for Peace

💧 Turning Water Diplomacy Research into Action: Key Insights from Geneva Seminar 💧 Last week we had the pleasure to host at University of Geneva, along with excellent partners, a half-day seminar on the science-policy interface in water diplomacy. We discussed the complexity of operating in ‘boundary organizations’ and as ‘knowledge brokers’ in this often technically challenging and politically charged space. We heard reflections from researchers who used the time and resources available through our unique SPI Grant in Water Diplomacy to convert their research into roundtables, workshops, podcasts and policy briefs. We heard from IUCN and their insights from over a decade of the #BRIDGE transboundary waters programme, and we shared lessons from the Geneva Water Hub, a Centre of Competence on Water for Peace and the Geneva Science-Policy Interface (GSPI) on framing and navigating the science-policy interface. 💡 Some Key Insights:  · Paying attention to policy windows is crucial; the timing and strategy of your policy brief significantly influence its impact. · Boundary organizations have a role to play in bridging the gap between research and action in transboundary and local water diplomacy. This often comes through building trust and partnerships – challenging but essential work.  · Reflexivity in water diplomacy research and action is important. How does our presence influence outcomes? What values are we bringing to the discussion? 📢 Please stay tuned for the next edition of the SPI Grant in Water Diplomacy, which will open in March 2025! We are building a community of practice on science-policy and will continue to look for ways to advance the discussion and learn from each other. #WaterDiplomacy #Sustainability #ResearchToPolicy #TransboundaryWater #Governance #GenevaWaterHub #UNIGE Sophie Bhalla (Erfurth) Mohsen Nagheeby Stefan Döring James Dalton Maria Carreño Lindelien Laura Turley Frederique Guerin, PhD Christian Bréthaut Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

💧Advancing Water Diplomacy Through Science and Policy: Join Us! 📅 Tuesday, December 10, 2024 🕒 13:30 - 16:30 📍 University of Geneva, 66 Boulevard Carl-Vogt, Room 001 We invite you to a half-day seminar featuring engaging presentations and discussions at the intersection of science and policy for water diplomacy. 💡 What to Expect: • Welcome and Introduction from Christian Bréthaut and Laura Turley, Geneva Water Hub, a Centre of Competence on Water for Peace • Presentations from three recent Science-Policy Interface grant winners, who transformed their PhD research into actionable policy approaches: Mohsen Nagheeby, Newcastle University Sophie Bhalla (Erfurth), University of Oxford and University of Guelph Stefan Döring, Uppsala University and Peace Research Institute Oslo • Insights from two IUCN experts on knowledge brokering for transboundary water diplomacy: James Dalton and Maria Carreño Lindelien • Reflections and closing by: Laura Turley and Frederique Guerin, PhD, Geneva Science-Policy Interface (GSPI) The full agenda is available here 👉 https://lnkd.in/d6PMBU3W ❗Join us for this unique opportunity to connect with experts, gain valuable insights, and discuss the future of science-policy integration in water management! University of Geneva, IUCN, Geneva Science-Policy Interface (GSPI), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation #WaterDiplomacy #SciencePolicy #TransboundaryWaters #GenevaWaterHub #SustainableWaterManagement

🌍 Common Principles at #COP29 for Climate Action, Relief, and Peace 🌍 People in the world’s most vulnerable places cannot wait for the ‘right’ conditions to adapt to climate change. Climate action in these settings is possible and can offer avenues for conflict prevention, inclusive peacebuilding and sustainable development. At COP29, the international community has come together behind a set of Common Principles for Effective Climate Finance and Action for Relief, Recovery, and Peace. The principles call us to: 1️⃣ Understand people and place for enduring, impactful outcomes. 2️⃣ Be agile to maintain and boost resilience.  3️⃣ Prioritise local ownership and leadership by affected groups. 4️⃣ Support collaboration and synergies. The principles call us to action to ensure that climate finance and action are agile, inclusive, and accountable, helping to build the foundation for resilient development and inclusive peacebuilding in the most vulnerable communities. 🌱 Now is the time to ensure that climate finance reaches the people and places who need it most. Read the principles here: https://lnkd.in/djfw3t29 #ClimateAction #ClimateFinance #SustainableDevelopment #Peacebuilding #ClimateResilience #InclusiveClimateAction #Adaptation #COP29 #LocalLeadership #ConflictSensitive #WomenInLeadership #IndigenousRights #YouthEmpowerment

💡 Join us at the UNFCCC #COP29 on November 20th at 10am in the Cryosphere Pavilion! Our session “Glacier-Fed Rivers: Building Upstream and Downstream Climate Resilience” will bring together scientists and diplomats to discuss the challenges of climate change adaptation in glacier-fed and transboundary river basins, with examples from Europe, Central Asia and South Asia. Resilience requires technical and science-based solutions, but it equally requires inclusive processes, open communication channels and diplomatic efforts to establish trust to make sure that solutions are effective and equitable. Join the discussion! 🗓️ Wednesday, November 20th 🕙 10:00 AM AZT (GMT+4) 📍Cryosphere Pavilion, Blue Zone *Livestream: https://lnkd.in/g4xgPcgf 🔗 For more information: https://lnkd.in/dmTBvS2q Laura Turley, Guy Bonvin, Géraldine Pflieger, Tanvir Kabir, Alexandre B. Hedjazi, Kenzo Hiroki, University of Geneva, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Eawag #ClimateResilience #WaterSecurity #GlacierFedRivers #COP29 #SustainableSolutions #ClimateAdaptation

💧Ne manquez pas l'émission "Objectif Monde : La bataille de l’eau" Demain sur TV5MONDE à 21h (heure de Paris), plongez dans une enquête captivante qui explore les enjeux cruciaux liés à la gestion de l’eau à l’échelle mondiale. Christian Bréthaut répond aux questions de la journaliste et partage son expertise sur cette ressource indispensable, abordant les défis et les solutions pour un avenir plus durable. Pour visionner l’émission dès maintenant, suivez ce lien : https://lnkd.in/dVXua54j #ObjectifMonde #LaBatailleDeLeau #TV5MONDE #Environnement #GestionDeLeau Institut des sciences de l'environnement (ISE) - UNIGE

🌊 Join the discussion against weaponization of water ! 🌊 The Geneva Water Hub, a Centre of Competence on Water for Peace and the Geneva Graduate Institute invite you to: "Weaponizing Water - Can Geneva Reverse the Trend?" 💡 The use of water in war is fashionable, and devastating. People who have nothing to do with the fighting bear the burden: savage disease today; long-term environmental degradation tomorrow. The panel will explore the extent to which international Geneva, law, outrage, or alliances can reverse the trend – and the consequences if it cannot. The use of water as a weapon poses severe public health threats and causes long-lasting environmental damage. The panel will use multiple lenses to explore  jpw we can help reverse this troubling trend and the consequences if we cannot. 📅 Tuesday, 12 November 2024   🕕 18:00 - 19:30 [followed by a reception]   📍Location: Geneva Graduate Institute, Ivan Pictet Auditorium [not hybrid] Speakers include: - Marie Laure SALLES - Director, Geneva Graduate Institute  - Gunjan Shree - Research Student on the Weaponization of Water, Geneva Graduate Institute   - Andrew Clapham - Professor of International Law, Geneva Graduate Institute   - David Kaelin - Urban Services and Policy Advisor, International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC   - Jana Urh Lesjak - Deputy Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the UN   - Mark Zeitoun - Director General, Geneva Water Hub & Professor of Water Diplomacy, Geneva Graduate Institute  Let’s come together to discuss solutions and raise awareness on the devastating consequences of weaponizing water. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to an essential conversation on water security, diplomacy, and international cooperation. #GenevaWaterHub #WaterDiplomacy #WeaponizationOfWater #GenevaGraduateInstitute #InternationalLaw #WaterSecurity #ClimateAction #GlobalIssues #JoinTheConversation

💧 We are pleased to invite you to "Water as an Ally for Peaceful, Inclusive, and Resilient Communities"* taking place at the CICG - International Conference Centre Geneva on October 31st, 2024, from 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM. As part of the 34th International Conference of the International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC under the theme Power of Humanity, this session of two panels will bring together leading voices in the field, including: - Danilo Turk – Former President of Slovenia, Lead Political Advisor to the Geneva Water Hub, a Centre of Competence on Water for Peace - Mark Zeitoun – Director General, Geneva Water Hub, a Centre of Competence on Water for Peace - Svenja Wolter – Climate, Environment, and Peacebuilding Advisor, International Alert - Mutlaq El Hadeed – Head of Disaster Management, Jordan Red Crescent Society - Nathalie Sémoroz – Senior Water Policy Advisor, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) - Radhya Almutawakel – Chairperson, Mwatana for Human Rights - Natasha Carmi – Lead, Geneva Water Hub's "Building Peace through Water" Program - Itonde Kakoma – President, Interpeace 🕊️ The panel will explore how water management can foster peace and resilience, particularly in fragile and conflict-prone regions. Join us for this vital conversation on the intersection of water diplomacy, conflict prevention, and equitable water management for a peaceful and inclusive future. ℹ️ Complimentary refreshments will be provided. We look forward to welcoming you. #WaterAndPeace #GenevaWaterHub #BluePeace #SDC #Resilience #WaterDiplomacy #Peacebuilding #InclusiveDevelopment

Depuis le 21 octobre, notre équipe, Jean Willemin et Quentin PARENT, participe à l'atelier "L'Eau au service de la Paix" à Néma, Mauritanie. Cet événement explore le rôle de l'eau dans la cohésion sociale et la paix, notamment face à l'accueil des réfugiés. 💧 #EauPourLaPaix #HodhChargui #CohésionSociale #iparmauritanie #GenevaWaterHub

🌍 Advancing Global Water Governance: Join the Geneva Water Hub at the 10th Meeting of the Parties We are proud to play a pivotal role in the 10th Session of the Meeting of the Parties to the UNECE - United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Water Convention (MoP 10). This landmark event, hosted by Slovenia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning in partnership with the UNECE Water Convention/Protocol on Water & Health Secretariat, will gather over 500 participants from nearly 100 countries, including 40 high-level representatives. MoP 10 is set to be a transformative platform, where global leaders, experts, and stakeholders unite to drive forward transboundary water cooperation, fostering diplomacy and peace across shared waters. Join us in these impactful sessions: 💧High-Level Session on the Regional Transboundary Cooperation Initiative on the Senegal-Mauritania Aquifer Basin (SMAB) 📅 Oct 22, 13:00 - 18:00 CEST 💧 The Implementation Committee: Enforcing Compliance for Cooperation 📅 Oct 23, 13:30 – 14:45 CEST Learn about how effective compliance mechanisms ensure sustainable cooperation across shared water resources. 💧 The Missing Pieces: Transboundary Cooperation & Civil Society Engagement 📅 Oct 25,  13:30 – 14:45 CEST Discuss the essential role of civil society in bridging gaps within international water diplomacy. 💧 Transboundary Data Sharing: A Tool for Water Diplomacy 📅 Oct 25, 08:30 – 09:45 CEST Explore innovative approaches to cross-border water data exchange to strengthen diplomatic ties. Engage with distinguished experts, including our Director General, Prof. Mark Zeitoun; Lead Political Advisor and former President of Slovenia, Danilo Turk; and our Policy and Law Programme Manager Basilio Ghisletta. Engage with renowned institutions including Pôle Eau Dakar and the World Youth Parliament for Water. To schedule a meeting or continue the conversation, contact Basilio Ghisletta at bghisletta@genevawaterhub.org. Discover more about each side event here: https://lnkd.in/drc-2wY9 #WaterForPeace #WaterDiplomacy #TransboundaryCooperation #WaterConvention #GlobalGovernance #SustainableWaterManagement

🌍💧 Join us at Geneva Peace Week 2024! The Geneva Water Hub, in collaboration with Geneva Call and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs of Slovenia, is pleased to co-organize the event "Sparing Water from Armed Conflicts: Building a Coalition of Action." 📅 Date: October 16, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM CET 📍 Location: Maison de la Paix - Conference Center C1 (Pétale 5) – HYBRID Our expert panel includes: Dr. Mara Tignino and Dr. Caroline Pellaton (Geneva Water Hub) Ms. Anita Pipan (Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the UN in Geneva) Mr. Daud Hirmoge (Geneva Call, Yemen) Ms. Abby Zeith (International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC) Brig. Gen. Godard Busingye (Ugandan People's Defence) Ms. Monica Ramos (UNICEF) Mr. Christian Guillermet Fernández (Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the UN in Geneva) This session will focus on protecting water resources in conflict zones and fostering collaborative solutions for a sustainable future. 🔗 Learn more and join the conversation: https://lnkd.in/d7yruzf2 #GenevaPeaceWeek #WaterInConflict #GenevaWaterHub #Sustainability #WaterProtection #HumanitarianAction