The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has taken a significant step toward safeguarding U.S. national security by launching the CSIS Project on Water Security, a recent news release from the center said. The major initiative aims to deepen understanding of the pivotal role water plays in shaping national interests and devise effective policy solutions to tackle water insecurity challenges.
"Access to freshwater is an increasingly critical factor in human development, economic growth and political stability, with nearly two thirds of the world’s population experiencing severe water scarcity each year," Henrietta Fore, CSIS trustee, said in the release. "With today’s announcement, CSIS positions itself to provide urgently needed analysis on water-related challenges worldwide, bringing to bear the full suite of CSIS’s analytical, multimedia and convening capabilities. I am pleased to be part of this exciting moment in CSIS’s history."
One of the key focuses of the CSIS Project on Water Security will be to establish unity between U.S. global food security and U.S. global water security policies, according to the release. By better considering the importance of water for agricultural and household use, the impact of U.S. food security assistance can be extended, particularly during a time when global food insecurity is on the rise.
Simultaneously, a heightened awareness of the impacts of agriculture on water security will enhance the efficacy of U.S. global water security efforts, especially in the face of mounting challenges such as climate change, urbanization and economic growth that escalate competition for scarce water resources, the release reported.
By leveraging data-driven research and analysis, the project seeks to present comprehensive policy solutions addressing water insecurity, with a specific focus on its ramifications on U.S. geopolitical and economic interests, the release said. The initiative is set to play a vital role as it explores the essential link between global food security and global water security, making it a pivotal component of the newly rebranded CSIS Global Food and Water Security Program.
Experts believe the endeavor will prove instrumental in shaping U.S. foreign policy and national security strategies, as water scarcity and water-related conflicts continue to emerge as critical challenges worldwide, the release said. By building a holistic understanding of the complexities surrounding water security, the CSIS Project on Water Security seeks to foster greater resilience and proactive measures to address this crucial issue.
