On the occasion of World Water Day, the College of Natural and Computational Sciences (CNCS) and the African Centre of Excellence for Water Management (ACEWA) today jointly held a national workshop and exhibition on ‘Water for Peace’ at CNCS Digital Library Building Auditorium .

The workshop addressed the intricate relationship between water, conflict and peace. Speakers underlined the need for efficient water management, and improvement of the provision and quality of water as a strategy to diffuse tension and prevent costly conflicts. The attendees who included key intellectuals, professionals and researchers in the area of water management urged action in consideration of the particular relevance of water as a conflict catalyst in fragile settings with resource constraints.

Dr Yacob Arsano, Associate Professor with the College of Social Sciences, a leading intellectual in the field, gave a scientific presentation titled: Water for Peace and Prosperity. He said water is the essence of life, as well as a key input for energy, health, and food sectors and a foundation for all human progress.

The scholar urged that water security issues should be of increasing concern to water professionals, governments, communities and industries, citing climate change and fast population growth that are engendering increasing pressure on limited water resources.

Professor Tadesse Fetahi, AAU President’s Special Delegate, for his part said, “Tackling the specific water challenges faced by African countries requires not only increased investment, but also strong capacity for proper water development and management.”

At a more global level, the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), on behalf of the UN-Water Task Force said:

“World Water Day 2024 urges us to explore the critical relationship between water and peace. By embracing cooperative approaches and ensuring equitable access, we can harness water as a stabilizing force and a catalyst for sustainable development, fostering peace for generations to come”.