Why Water Matters
Water connects climate, economies, ecosystems, resilience, and the prospects of peace.
Water is how we experience climate change
Climate change is disrupting the global hydrological cycle. Droughts, floods, melting ice, shifting rainfall, and degrading soils are becoming more frequent and severe. These changes affect food production, infrastructure, economies, and ecosystems. Effective climate adaptation begins with understanding and governing water as a dynamic, interconnected system.
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Water underpins economies, health, and development
Every country’s development depends on reliable and well-governed water resources. Water supports energy, agriculture, cities, and public health. When water is scarce, polluted, or poorly managed, economies slow, inequality widens, and communities become more vulnerable to shocks.
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Water connects ecosystems, people, and prosperity
Healthy ecosystems regulate water flows, store moisture, protect biodiversity, and sustain food production. As nature declines, so does water security. Managing water wisely means managing landscapes, soils, and freshwater ecosystems in ways that balance human needs and the health of the planet.
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Water can drive cooperation and peace
More than half the world’s population lives in shared watersheds. As pressures rise, risks of tension increase. But water can also build trust. Inclusive governance and transboundary cooperation help prevent conflict, support regional development, and strengthen peace.
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Water governance is at the heart of resilience
Technology alone cannot solve the water crisis. Governance — who decides, who benefits, and how resources are shared — determines whether societies thrive or face instability. Strong institutions, inclusive decision-making, and shared knowledge are essential to protecting people and nature.
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Why SIWI matters
Today’s water challenges require cooperation across sectors, regions, and disciplines. This is where SIWI plays a unique role. As a trusted multistakeholder platform, we bring partners together to co-create solutions, curate knowledge, and strengthen governance systems that make lasting change possible. Our work helps ensure that water is recognized and valued as the foundation of a resilient, just, and healthy world.
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Our thematic areas
Three focus areas guide our direction.
Water governance in a changing climate and hydrological cycle
Shared waters cooperation