There is a difference between knowledge of water as an innate object and knowledge of water as a multifaceted resource. Water diplomacy is an innovative approach and strategic tool to resolve water issues at local and trans-boundary levels where water conflicts rise in sharing water resources.
The African continent faces an exceedingly complex array of interrelated water issues that cross several limitations. Whether you consider water a property or a human right – how do governments prioritize between economic utility and environmental sustainability? Should living beings like fish, have more rights to water than irrigated grain or do cultural and religious values associated with water have a higher importance than the amount of water individuals needs?
The current norms and standards for water and sanitation have, over the last few decades, focused on addressing water services and backlogs in urban areas, but unintentionally overlooked the diverse water challenges faced by communities in the rural areas.
Many financial water management decisions have evolved from addressing simple problems, such as accessing water near its source, to complex problems of managing and allocating water in the face of multiple and competing demands in the natural, societal, and political milieus. The only solution to addressing many growing issues, is to make more water available, while nurturing the intersections between policy and norms, to provide an all-encompassing circular solution.
Speak to us about the best way to integrate all water related infrastructure challenges, from norms to implementation for increased water resilience in your organization.