The UN Peacebuilding Commission and the potential of water in post-conflict development, governance and reconciliation

Abstract

This paper examines the extent to which the UN Peacebuilding Commission (UNPBC) has considered the ‘peacebuilding potential of water’. Based on an analysis of documentation of 2006–14, it is argued that the UNPBC has paid significant attention to the role of water in post-conflict development, governance and reconciliation. However, given the UNPBC’s overall work output, the consideration that water has received as a peace-building tool should not be overstated. While a stronger integration of water into peace-building would be desirable in principle, decisions must be made on a country-by-country basis, taking into account peace-building priorities, local context and availability of donor support.

Keywords:

• water
• peace-building
• UN Peacebuilding Commission (UNPBC)
• socio-economic development
• good governance
• reconciliation

Acknowledgements

The author wishes to thank Dr Jan Adamowski for his valuable comments and feedback.

Additional information

Funding

The author thanks the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for the provision of a graduate scholarship at McGill University.