Water, Peace & Security

Water-related risks to global security are linked to conflict, instability, migration, water and food insecurity, and waterborne illness, affecting the lives of billions of people around the world. Data is fundamental to understanding how water shortages translate into social consequences, where water-related risks are highest, what drives these risks, and what solutions exist. The Water, Peace, and Security (WPS) Partnership was founded in 2018 to pioneer the development of innovative tools that identify and address water-related security risks. WPS’ Global Early Warning Tool employs machine learning to forecast conflict over the next 12 months in Africa, the Middle East, and South and Southeast Asia. Through cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, human responses modeling, and remote sensing, the Global Early Warning Tool raises awareness of the risks of water-related security threats. WPS is working on regular updates to the platform to improve its model and extend its geographic coverage. National governments, actors from the global defense, development, diplomacy, and disaster relief sectors, and other stakeholders can use the tool to identify conflict hotspots before violence erupts, begin to understand the local context, and prioritize opportunities for water interventions. Based on this information, evidence-based actions can be taken to mitigate human security risks, which WPS facilitates through capacity development and dialogue support.