Water: Potential to Unite, Rather than Divide?

Tuesday, October 11, 2011, 14.30–16.00, Žofin Palace, Knight’s Hall

In cooperation with The Coca-Cola Company

 

Moderator:

Irena Kalhousová, Chief Analyst, Prague Security Studies Institute, Czech Republic

 

Panel Discussion:

Uri Shamir, Emeritus Professor, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Israel

Ivo Šilhavý, Head of the Representative Office in Ramallah, Czech Republic

Omar Rafai, Executive Director, West Asia-North Africa Forum, Jordan

Ladislav Bartoš, EHSS Manager, Veolia Voda, Czech Republic

 

 

Uri Shamir opened the panel by introducing the contrasting predictions that, in the future, water could either be a source of conflict, or a cause for cooperation between nations. It was his assertion that water has the potential to be a “bridge to peace.” For example, only seven small skirmishes over water have occurred in the last century. Through coordinated management, joint institutions, and a renewed emphasis on conservation and technology, Shamir expressed optimism for the future of water legislation and agreements between Jordan and Israel.

 

 Omar Rafai stressed, “water, as the essence of all life, is more than an entitlement – it is a right.” Furthermore, water is a fluid, and neutral element that cannot be kept to the boundaries that we, as humans, have drawn. Rather, he hopes that we can “consider water as a source of regional cooperation.” Rafai further discussed the need to combine the efforts of all sectors to protect the interests of everyone. Finally, Rafai spoke to the unavoidably political side to water and technological distribution in the region.

 

Ivo Šilhavý agreed that water in politics can be a double-edged sword–on one hand, water experts in Israel and Palestine can have respectful debates about sharing resources, while on the other hand water issues remain part of the political agenda. Ladislav Bartoš expanded upon the necessity of political involvement in the water debate. He argued that “the first step is on politics and the representatives of the countries.” Bartoš stated, “No private company…is able to decide where new water plants will be installed, and how much money will be spent on construction.” He concluded that the private sector can provide the ingenuity and technology but implementation will require political and governmental involvement.