Water: weapon of war or instrument of peace?

On the occasion of World Peace Day, the news platform Geneva Solutions, the Geneva Press Club-Club suisse de la presse, and the Geneva Water Hub, a centre of the University of Geneva specialised in hydropolitics and hydrodiplomacy, are pleased to invite you their event, “Water: weapon of war or instrument of peace?”

This conference will reunite two panels of top speakers from high-level organisations to debate on Water security and Water diplomacy. The first panel will focus on the global approach on water security, specifically regarding water in armed conflict. The second panel will debate the question of water security related to peacebuilding in the Sahel region with insights on the impact of the security crisis on the local communities and an exchange on the international community’s response to the crisis.

WHEN AND WHERE
Tuesday, 21st September 2021 from 11am until 1pm
Hybrid format: at the Geneva Press Club with Covid Certificate (Domaine de Penthes, Chemin de l’Impératrice 18, 1292 Pregny-Chambésy) and online To participate: register here

PROGRAMME
Moderated panel debate
Moderators: Kasmira Jefford, Geneva Solutions Editor-in-Chief and Pierre Ruetschi, Geneva Press Club Executive Director.

Opening statements
• Michael Møller, Former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations

1st Panel: Water Security: How to prevent conflicts and preserve resources?

• Boubacar Barry, Expert in charge of Water and Rural Development priority at the 9th World Water Forum
• Martin Chungong, Secretary-General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
• Monica Ramos, Global WASH Coordinator at UNICEF
• Mara Tignino, Lead Legal Specialist for Geneva Water Hub
• Patrick Youssef, Regional Director for Africa, ICRC

2nd Panel: Water as a driver of peace in the Sahel region

• Jean Bosco Bazié, President of Eau Vive Internationale
• Général Emmanuel de Romémont, Founder of More Water For Sahel
• Baaba Maal, Singer and Guitarist, Land Ambassador for the UN Convention to Combat Desertification
• Ambassador Marion Weichelt, Swiss Ambassador to Lebanon, Former Ambassador to Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Cabo Verde

Closing remarks
• Dr Danilo Türk, Lead Political Advisor for Geneva Water Hub, Former President of Slovenia

Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in both, french and english

RSVP Please register below to participate online or face-to-face (only with Covid Certificate). The event will also be jointly broadcast by the Geneva Press Club and the Water Diplomat, a media run by OOSKAnews in collaboration with the Geneva Water Hub.

This event is supported by the Canton of Geneva (through the Geneva Press Club) and by the City of Geneva (through Geneva Solutions).

Registration to participate online or face-to-face (only with Covid Certificate)