What's Happening?
On November 12, 2026, the United Nations University (UNU) Paris Office, in collaboration with the Andalus Committee and the Paris Peace Forum, will host a thematic event titled 'Water, Oceans and Peace: Who Defines the Rules of Our Shared Resources?'
This event, part of the 9th Paris Peace Forum, will take place at the Mairie de Paris Centre. It aims to gather researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and project leaders to discuss the future of water and ocean governance in an increasingly interconnected world. The discussion will focus on how cooperation, equity, representation, and knowledge influence the governance of shared natural resources at local, regional, and global levels. The event will explore the interconnectedness of rivers, groundwater systems, coastal zones, and marine ecosystems, which are often discussed separately. Decisions regarding access, use, protection, and benefits from these shared resources have significant implications for peace, development, and environmental sustainability. The event will feature contributions from experts in environmental governance, international cooperation, and public policy, including David Blanchon, Patrick Thaunay, and Georgina Castro-Proal, among others.
Why It's Important?
This event is important because it addresses critical questions surrounding the equitable and sustainable management of global water and ocean resources. The governance of these shared resources is not merely technical but deeply political, impacting international relations, environmental stability, and the well-being of communities worldwide. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the forum aims to highlight disparities in decision-making processes, the recognition of knowledge, and the influence of various actors in shaping international norms. The discussions will particularly focus on strengthening the influence of the Global South in international governance, ensuring that the experiences and needs of countries most affected by environmental degradation and resource insecurity are adequately represented. The outcomes of such dialogues can inform policy recommendations and governance reforms, fostering more inclusive and fair approaches to managing vital natural resources, which is crucial for global peace and sustainable development.
What's Next?
The discussions from the thematic event will contribute to a report prepared by researchers from the Andalus Committee. This report will synthesize the exchanges and identify practical policy recommendations and governance reforms related to water, oceans, and international cooperation. Specific attention will be given to issues of representation, knowledge production, scientific cooperation, benefit-sharing, and participation in international decision-making processes. The aim is to translate academic expertise, practical experience, and policy perspectives into actionable strategies for more effective, sustainable, fair, and inclusive governance of shared resources. The insights gained could influence future international agreements and national policies concerning water security and ocean governance, potentially leading to more equitable distribution of resources and enhanced environmental protection efforts globally.
Beyond the Headlines
The event delves into the less obvious implications of resource governance, highlighting the ethical and power dynamics at play. It questions whose voices are heard and whose knowledge is prioritized in international forums, revealing potential biases and inequalities in current governance structures. The focus on strengthening the influence of the Global South underscores a broader movement towards decolonizing environmental policy and ensuring that solutions are culturally relevant and locally appropriate. This initiative could trigger long-term shifts in how international cooperation is framed, moving towards more participatory and equitable models. By emphasizing the interconnectedness of water systems, the forum also implicitly challenges siloed approaches to environmental management, advocating for holistic strategies that recognize the complex interdependencies between different ecosystems and human societies. This could lead to a re-evaluation of sovereignty in the context of shared global resources, promoting a more cooperative paradigm.
