23.05.2025 Statement for the Arria Formula Meeting on Protecting Water in Armed Conflict

Checked Against Delivery

Let me begin by thanking Slovenia, Algeria, Panama and Sierra Leone for hosting this Arria-formula meeting. Denmark also thanks President Spoljaric, Deputy Executive Director Chaiban, and the Regional Head of Programmes for Geneva Call in Africa, Ms. Mehwash Ansari, for their compelling briefings today.

Mr. Chair,

The destruction and weaponization of water in armed conflict has devastating consequences for civilian populations.

As we have heard today, we are witnessing a proliferation of attacks on critical infrastructure such as water wells, pumping, and desalinations stations. Such deliberate actions are an unconscionable assault on the most fundamental requirement of human life.

Mr. Chairman, allow me to make three points.

First, Denmark underscores that parties to armed conflict must immediately halt such attacks. From Gaza to Ukraine, Syria and Sudan, we have seen the targeting and defiling of critical water infrastructure; depriving millions of clean drinking water, leading to the outbreak of deadly communicable diseases and placing great strain on the civilian population.

The legal obligations of parties to conflict are abundantly clear. International Humanitarian Law prohibits attacking, destroying, removing or rendering useless objects indispensable to civilian survival.

This has been reaffirmed through multiple Security Council Resolutions. Yet, regrettably, accountability remains the exception, not the rule.

Denmark underscores the need to ensure greater accountability for those who have ordered or carried out such attacks. Accountability is not only important to end impunity but also to deter new illegal attacks.

Second, Mr. Chair, we must mitigate the cumulative humanitarian, environmental and public‑health consequences of denying access to water resources in armed conflict. This demands predictable, flexible funding for rapid response and repair teams, as well as the pre‑positioning of essential supplies.

Safe and unimpeded humanitarian access is also critical so engineers can reach damaged facilities. Investment in climate resilient and decentralised water systems that keep functioning when power grids fail is also crucial.

Furthermore, women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities, shoulder the heaviest burden when water sources collapse. As such, humanitarian response plans must be informed and tailored to the specific needs of this population also; employing risk reduction strategies that protect those forced to travel long distances to fetch water. 

Third, Mr. Chair, the Council must transform evidence into concrete action.

Building on the reflections made in the Secretary General’s Annual Protection of Civilians report, collective efforts to develop operational guidance on protecting water infrastructure in urban warfare would be a valuable tool for member states.

Peace operation mandates could also require language on monitoring and deterrence when it comes to attacks on, and defilement of, water systems. The humanitarian carve‑out adopted inresolution 2664 (2022) must be fully operationalised so that spare parts, treatment chemicals, and fuel reach water treatment and pumping facilities without delay; even in contexts where sanctions may be enforced.

Chair, to conclude,

Denmark reaffirms the centrality of protecting access to water and water resources in armed conflict settings. The loss of water is the loss of dignity, health and hope. 

Our children deserve to inherit rivers that flow, not pipelines reduced to rubble. Let us match our words with decisive action and safeguard the wells, pipes and pumps that sustain civilian life.

Thank you.