Bridging gaps in water governance: Addressing conflict and climate challenges

Despite frequent warnings of ‘water wars’, conflicts over water rarely escalate into violence. While most disputes over water access, quantity, or infrastructure remain non-violent, the gap between national water diplomacy and local water disputes presents a critical governance challenge. Such challenges are more severe in regions affected by armed conflict and climate stress, with water shortages disrupting livelihoods and aggravating inequalities.

This policy brief examines conflict- and climate-related challenges to water governance and explores how multi-level collaboration can bridge the gap between global policies and lived realities. Effective water governance integrates national policies, regional frameworks, and grassroots actions to address interconnected challenges.