Water is not just a climate or a development issue. Proper management of water resources is also essential to ensure security.. On September 14, the ISW’s Young Water Champions for Central Asia participated in the launch of the report from the Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace, entitled A Matter of Survival. Bota Sharipova from Kazakhstan and Aminjon Abdulloev from Tajikstan were mobilized by the ISW during Expo2017 Astana last spring. They presented the Youth Vision for Water in Central Asia, produced during the Expo.

The Champions also illustrated the relevance of the panel’s work with concrete examples, and affirmed that Central Asian youth are ready to participate in the peaceful sharing of resources. Also presenting was Didier Burkhalter, federal councillor and head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Vision states,

“We, the Youth of Central Asia, want to live in a world where water has no borders and where young people can speak and participate in decision-making processes regarding water-related issues. We want to serve with appropriate conditions and respect for everyone: from individuals of a community to well-trained professionals, within a framework of trust and transparency. We are convinced that water issues can be solved in such a world.”

The Panel’s report echoes these sentiments, and expresses the need for efficient transboundary cooperation and peaceful sharing of resources. In the report, panel chairman Dr. Danilo Turk states that, “The Panel is firmly of the view that international water cooperation should be developed into a major instrument used in strengthening international stability and peace, and conflict prevention.”

Download the Report of the Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace from the Geneva Water Hub’s site.

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