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A Matter of Survival

Issues concerning the protection of water resources also arise in to focus the international community’s attention on the specific
situations where there is no peacekeeping operation in place and issues of water and water infrastructure protection during
where this may not be possible during an active armed conflict. armed conflicts. It would form the basis for the UNSC mandates
The conditions in Syria and Iraq described above belong to this for UN peacekeeping operations for the protection of water and
category. In such situations, questions about the authorization of water infrastructure, similar to the UNSC resolution on women
the use of force by states or groups of states often arise. Although in armed conflicts (S/RES/1325 (2000)) that has influenced
it might not be possible to grant this authorization in each and peacekeeping operations.
every case, it should not be impossible for the Security Council
to convey a sense of legitimacy on the use of force in situations In the past, protection of essential civilian infrastructure has
where civilians are gravely affected and lack access to water been afforded by the Security Council. In the UNSC Resolutions
during an active armed conflict. Of course, the principles and S/RES/1998 (2011) and S/RES/2286 (2016), the Security Council
norms of IHL must be observed in these situations by the states inter alia called upon Member States to take action against
engaged in this type of military activity. This applies especially perpetrators who violated international law by attacking schools
to the principle of proportionality of the use of force and the and hospitals. Specific references aiming at protecting water
distinction between military and non-military objects. These stations and water supply were made in the Security Council
principles also provide the framework for decision making of the resolutions S/RES/2118 (2013) and S/RES/2165 (2014).
Security Council and the platform for the Council’s assessment
of such situations, and of actions by UN Member States. Earlier this year the Security Council adopted its resolution
S/RES/2341 (2017) to counter threats to international peace
Finally, post-conflict peace building may require a long-term and security caused by acts of terrorism. The resolution is
effort of the UN in assisting in the restoration or building up of focused on the protection of critical infrastructure, and notes
the necessary water infrastructure. This type of engagement the increasing importance of cross-border infrastructure and
will sometimes require long-term engagement of the Security interdependencies between nations. Water supply is specifically
Council and the UN Peace Building Commission (UNPBC). The mentioned in this regard. The Security Council urged all States
UNPBC brings together all relevant actors to marshal resources, to ensure that all their relevant domestic departments, agencies
and to advise on and propose integrated strategies for post- and other entities work closely and effectively on matters
conflict peace building and recovery. Water is already among its relating to the protection of critical infrastructure against
top priorities. The periodic reviews of the UN’s peace building terrorist attacks.
should keep water issues as an ongoing priority in the effort
to promote an integrated, strategic and coherent approach to These resolutions illustrate the trend to strengthening the
peace building. protection of basic humanitarian facilities and infrastructure. It
is necessary to address this need to protect water resources and
The Central Role of the UN Security Council infrastructure even more explicitly and in more detailed ways in
the future.
A broad look at the water issues in armed conflicts and recent
experience leads to the conclusion that the time is becoming Subsidiary bodies of the Security Council should review their
ripe for a thematic resolution of the UN Security Council (UNSC) practices and make certain that the protection of water is among
on water, peace and security. This conclusion is echoed by the their standing priorities. As mentioned above, the UN Peace
recent debates of the Security Council itself. On 22 November Building Commission already includes water in its reconstruction
2016, Senegal in its role as President of the Security Council, and institution-building work. This work must continue.
convened its 7818th meeting and, for the first time, debated
the linkages between water, peace and security. It was an open The Counterterrorism Committee needs to explore ways in
session in which UN Member States outside the Security Council which to design responses to terrorist activities against water
could also participate. Representatives of 69 governments infrastructure, including the necessary information sharing
including the 15 Security Council members intervened, aimed at more effective prevention of terrorist acts.
emphasizing the importance of water in promoting cooperation
and peace. Several Member States recommended that the The UN Secretariat should assist in all these activities by bringing
Security Council remain involved with the subject, though a few together the existing information from within the UN system,
Member States opposed this approach. as well as specific recommendations to ensure system-wide
coherence in addressing the issues of water, security and peace.
With these beginnings in the Security Council, it is possible
to consider various measures that the United Nations could
undertake to protect water resources and infrastructure. It will,
in the first place, require the recognition of water as “a vital asset
of humankind” by the Security Council.

A Security Council Resolution on Water, Peace and Security
would constitute follow up to the resolution on the protection of
civilians in armed conflicts, S/RES/1265 (1999). This would help

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