Water conflicts in times of climate change webinar

To mark the International Day of Peace, the Center for Global Nonkilling in collaboration with Åbo Akademi University in Vasa, home of the Programme in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research, and Maat for Peace, Development and Human Rights Association, will organize a virtual webinar on the theme “Water conflicts in times of climate change: nonkilling problem-solving alternatives“. The webinar will start puctually at 12:15 (EEST, Helsinki time) / 11:15 (EST, Cairo time).

The event will be focusing on recent and ongoing conflicts in the Nile basin. The Nile River has had a major impact on the interstate politics of the region through the years, as it is the only reliable source for renewable water supplies in the area. The food and water security situation in the Nile Basin is extremely
vulnerable, due to population growth and environmental factors that have raised deep concerns amongst the peoples of the riparian countries.

Due to its potential opportunities and risks for the people of the Eastern Nile Basin, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River has commanded regional and international attention. Once completed, it will rank the largest hydropower dam in Africa and among the largest worldwide. Discourse among scientists and negotiators from Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt on the design, initial filling, and long-term operation of the GERD is ongoing since the construction started in 2011, but no agreement has yet been reached.

Speakers at the webinar will include Hagar Monsif, Raymond Ruyoka, Tayssir Mustafa, Hagar ElBarbary and Christophe Barbey, with the facilitation of CGNK Director Joám Evans Pim. Attendance is free and no registration is required to access the webinar via Zoom at the following link: https://aboakademi.zoom.us/j/69973597201