EU Statement – UN Security Council Arria-formula meeting: Protecting Water in Armed Conflict

Check against delivery Excellencies, Colleagues, the European Union and its member states welcome today’s Arria Formula meeting convened by Slovenia together with Algeria, Panama and Sierra Leone on protecting water in armed conflict to protect civilian lives. Civilian objects are protected under IHL. Furthermore, objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, including water infrastructure, receive special protections. The civilian character of the natural environment is also well established. Universal access to safe drinking water, without any discrimination, is an internationally recognized human right.  Yet today, we are all witness to the continued destructive impact of armed conflicts on water and sanitation services, personnel, infrastructure and resources. Whether through direct attacks, incidental damage, contamination or denial of access, it is civilians who often pay the highest price. Suffering and death, loss of livelihoods, displacement, health crises, disease, and lowered resilience to shocks are just some of the risks faced. This becomes much more urgent still considering the detrimental impact the climate crisis is having on water availability in many places around the world, heightening the risks of fragility and conflict. Furthermore, the changing nature of warfare, including cyberattacks, have amplified protection concerns for water infrastructure. Excellencies, Colleagues, we have three points for the Council’s consideration and for...