Welcome to the CMI Webinar: No peace without water – how to make water diplomacy effective as the climate crisis intensifies? On 8 December at 11.00 – 12.00 EET (10.00 – 11.00 CET).

The climate crisis is intensifying pressure on water resources. The disparity between the need and supply for water is growing, and this exacerbates tensions that can lead to conflict. In the Middle East, for instance, dependable access to safe drinking water is becoming a severe problem.

So there is a greater need now for water diplomacy to prevent conflict and ease tension. Water diplomacy aims to avert and resolve water-related political tensions using the tools of diplomacy and expertise on water-related issues. Water can also be a potential entry point for peace mediation, as access to water is a need that is common to everyone, and in this way can bring different groups together.

Water diplomacy combines Finnish expertise on questions of water and peace. The recently established Centre for Peace Mediation at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs makes water diplomacy one of its focal areas. In the Middle East, CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation is facilitating regional dialogue to defuse tensions on water.

Effective water diplomacy is urgently needed, but how can we make it effective? Join our webinar to find out more. The event is part of CMI’s Peace Talks Live webinar series that inspires debate on what it takes to build lasting peace amidst the volatile world situation.

Speakers:
Fuad Bateh, Consultant on Environment and Water
Marzia Cimmino, Project Officer, CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation
Marko Keskinen, Associate Professor on Water Resources Management, Aalto University

Moderator: Antti Ämmälä, Interim Head of Communications, CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation

The webinar will be held on Zoom. The link to it will be sent to registered participants the day before the webinar. The event will also be streamed on CMI’s YouTube channel.

For more information, please contact:
Kreeta Koskijoki, kreeta.koskijoki@cmi.fi.