Dr Farhad Mukhtarov was one of the speakers during Festival 400 in the Dutch city of Den Bosch celebrating almost 400 years of Dutch unity.
He participated in a talk show on Water and Drought with historian René Vermeir (University of Ghent) and executive Mado Ruijs (Waterschap De Dommel).
Farhad stressed the concerning trend of increasing water-related conflicts since the 2010s. Most of these conflicts are within the boundaries of the state, which makes them less news-worthy — but no less violent.
When asked if water scarcity may lead to a military conflict, Farhad referred to historical records that water is more often a source of cooperation than conflict, but also warned that history is not always a guide for the future.
Reflecting on the role of the Netherlands in global water diplomacy, he acknowledged the surprisingly prominent role that a small country of the size of the Netherlands plays on the international water arena. For example, the Netherlands co-hosted a major UN conference on water in 2023, and with estimated annual 10 billion USD worth exports of water related goods and services, the Netherlands is a key actor in adaptation to global climate change.
At the same time, Farhad stressed that international involvement of the Netherlands as a mediator and developmental partner is not without risks, and the Government of the Netherlands would do well by separating the objectives of generating trade and supporting developmental impacts in partner countries as these two objectives often clash in practice.
- Assistant professor
- Related links
- Dr Farhad Mukhtarov talks about his research on water governance and public policy