Shared Water. Shared Security. A People-Centered Approach in Water Co-operation
General event
- Date:
- Location:
- Stockholm, Sweden / Online
- Source:
- Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities
- Fields of work:
- Economic activities, Environmental activities
About
Water does not stop at borders. Rivers, lakes and aquifers connect countries, communities, economies and ecosystems. Their shared management can have far-reaching implications for sustainable development, resilience and security.
Contributing to global dialogue and collaboration on water, the OSCE will bring its experience in transboundary water co-operation and water diplomacy to World Water Week 2026, one of the leading global platforms for advancing sustainable water management.
World Water Week 2026 takes place in Stockholm and online from 23 to 27 August under the theme “Water for People and Progress”. Organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), World Water Week brings together governments, international organizations, experts, civil society, the private sector and young professionals to advance dialogue, partnerships and solutions on water governance, climate resilience and sustainable development.
On 25 August 2026, from 16:00 to 17:30, the OSCE session “Shared Water. Shared Security. A People-Centered Approach in Water Co-operation” will explore how inclusive, science-based and co-operative water governance can help address shared environmental pressures while strengthening trust, resilience and regional stability. Drawing on experience from the Dniester River Basin, Central Asia and the OSCE’s broader work across its region, the discussion will place people and practical co-operation at the centre of the water-security nexus.
The OSCE session is supported through the GEF/UNDP/OSCE project “Advancing Transboundary Co-operation and Integrated Water Resources Management in the Dniester River Basin through Implementation of the Strategic Action Programme (SAP)” and the OSCE project “Women, Water Management and Conflict Prevention – Phase III”, implemented in Central Asia. The session is co-organized with:
- Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine
- Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Moldova
- United Nations Development Programme
- United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
- United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health
- Women in Water Diplomacy Network
Registration
The OSCE session “Shared Water. Shared Security. A People-Centered Approach in Water Co-operation” can be followed online through the World Water Week platform, with free online registration at https://worldwaterweek.org/2026/tickets.
Background
Bringing the OSCE security perspective into global water processes
World Water Week’s theme, “Water for People and Progress”, is closely linked to the Interactive Dialogue on Water for People at the UN 2026 Water Conference in December. Following its participation in the Dushanbe Water Process earlier this year, the OSCE will use World Water Week as a preparatory milestone and an opportunity for consultation with relevant stakeholders, while contributing regional experience on sustainable water management, transboundary co-operation and the participation of women and youth.
The Dniester: practical co-operation across borders
A key example is the partnership supporting transboundary co-operation in the Dniester River Basin through the project “Advancing transboundary co-operation and Integrated Water Resources Management in the Dniester River Basin through implementation of the Strategic Action Programme”. Financially supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the project is implemented by UNDP and executed by the OSCE, with support from UNECE. By bringing together complementary mandates, expertise and resources, this partnership supports the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine in strengthening institutions, improving the ecological status of the basin, enhancing climate resilience and advancing practical and inclusive management of their shared water resources. It also demonstrates how co-ordinated engagement among international organizations and regional partners can help sustain dialogue, build trust and translate transboundary co-operation into practical action.
Shared by the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, the Dniester demonstrates the value of sustained dialogue, functioning institutions, scientific evidence and inclusive participation in managing a common water resource.
At World Water Week, experience from the Dniester will help demonstrate how activities such as restoring ecological flows, strengthening wastewater management, rehabilitating wetlands, enhancing climate resilience and building institutional capacity can deliver benefits for ecosystems and communities while contributing to stronger governance and regional stability.
The Dniester experience also illustrates a broader lesson: technical co-operation on shared environmental challenges can help maintain dialogue, strengthen institutional relationships and create practical spaces for countries to work together.
People at the centre of water governance: experiences from Central Asia
The OSCE session will also emphasize that successful water governance depends on the people who manage, use and depend on shared water resources.
Meaningful participation by women water professionals, young people and community representatives can strengthen decision-making, bring different perspectives and knowledge into water governance and build broader ownership of solutions.
Experience from Central Asia will complement lessons from the Dniester River Basin, highlighting how inclusive professional networks, community engagement and participation can strengthen sustainable water management and regional co-operation.