Contribution to the Geneva Water Hub (2023-2027)


Globally, access to fresh water resources are dwindling due to growing demand, increasing pollution and climate change. The Geneva Water Hub, co-hosted by the University of Geneva and the Graduate Institute, is an international center of competence for transboundary water resources management. Through research, education, advocacy and mediation, the Hub addresses water insecurity in water scarce regions, helps to prevent water conflicts and contributes to peace, stability and sustainable development. 

Land/Region Thema Periode Budget
Weltweit
Wasser
Konflikt & Fragilität
Wasserdiplomatie und Sicherheit
Konfliktprävention
Einsparung von Wasserressourcen
01.09.2023 - 31.08.2027
CHF  8’410’000
Hintergrund The United Nations World Water Development Report 2023 shows that whilst fresh water use has been increasing globally by roughly 1% per year over the last 40 years (population growth and consumption patterns), water scarcity is becoming endemic in many regions as a result of demographic growth, climate change and water pollution. At current rates, progress towards all the targets of SDG 6 (drinking water and sanitation) is significantly off-track and in some areas the rate of implementation needs to quadruple. By 2050, an estimated 40% of the global population will live in regions under constant water stress. In 2017, water scarcity was the key driver of conflict in 45 countries, primarily in the Middle East, Central Asia and in Africa. Water crises do not always involve a physical shortage of water, but are instead the result of poor, unfair or uncoordinated water management, namely governance issues. It is recognised that strong institutions and water diplomacy efforts can mitigate the potential of conflicts caused by competition over scarce water resources. Stronger institutions also bear the potential to address the current gender gap in governance and decision-making in the water sector. 
Ziele The GWH seeks to demonstrate the benefits of using water for peace in humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts, with the overall objective that water is shared equitably and spared from armed conflict – so that the conditions for peace and sustainable development may prevail. 
Zielgruppen Development actors; Peace building actors; Humanitarian actors  
Mittelfristige Wirkungen

The Hub work towards five outcomes:

  1. Water for Peace Diplomacy is applied
  2. Policy, law and technical norms and knowledge related to the protection of water during armed conflicts and sanctions is developed
  3. Policy and law is shaped towards water for peace
  4. The capacity of people able to act for peace through water is increased
  5. Science supports the Hub’s mission to mainstream water for peace
Resultate

Erwartete Resultate:  

  • International transboundary water arrangements are improved
  • The Geneva List of Principles on the Protection of Water Infrastructure are developed and international humanitarian laws actors are trained
  • Pôle Eau Dakar’s 5-year strategy is supported and complemented
  • The Global High Level Panel on Water and Peace or similar influential group is re-established
  • A research agenda for water for peace is set and influences policy-makers


Resultate von früheren Phasen:  

Founded in 2014, the Geneva Water Hub has established itself as a unique Swiss-based centre of competence specialised in hydro-diplomacy. Its main achievements include support to:

  • The Global High Level Panel on Water and Peace and its seminal publication A Matter of Survival
  • The ground-breaking agreement over the Senegalese-Mauritanian Aquifer Basin signed in Geneva in 2021
  • The Geneva List of Principles on the Protection of Water Infrastructure published in 2019
  • The Global Observatory for Water and Peace, a network of organizations worldwide dedicated to water for peace
  • The training of over 50’000 people through the variety of courses it offers with the University of Geneva
  • The establishment of the Pôle Eau Dakar, a think tank based in Senegal covering the sub-region and concentrating expertise on water research and policy influencing


Verantwortliche Direktion/Bundesamt DEZA
Projektpartner Vertragspartner
Privatsektor
Schweizerische Hochschul- und Forschungsinstitution
  • Schweizerischer Privatsektor
  • Universität Genf


Koordination mit anderen Projekten und Akteuren SDC Blue Peace Initiative 
Budget Laufende Phase Schweizer Beitrag CHF    8’410’000 Bereits ausgegebenes Schweizer Budget CHF    1’700’000 Projekttotal seit Anfangsphase Schweizer Beitrag CHF   18’020’000 Budget inklusive Projektpartner CHF   24’360’000
Projektphasen Phase 1 01.09.2023 - 31.08.2027   (Laufende Phase)