Is the world going to fight over water resources? Between countries, history tells us, it is unlikely. There are very few examples of wars fought over water.
At the community level, however, it can indeed be a source of conflict with disputes over water driving the breakdown of governance.
In fragile contexts, where competition over water shapes community dynamics and decisions, it can become the center of conflict. In the MENA region, for example, 97% of water-related incidents occur within countries and not across borders.
Water has the potential to drive solutions
Water does not have to be a constraint. When we get it right, it can be a driver of solutions.
We see this in the water, energy, food and ecosystems nexus. Take solar-powered irrigation, a prime example of how these three resources are interdependent, and actions in one sector will directly impact the other. If approached thoughtfully, as with the case of India’s PM-Kusum scheme, it can create benefits beyond simply energy. When solar-powered irrigation is lined up with the national energy grid and designed to ensure farmers have streamlined access to markets, the impact is significant because you drive value for farmers. They will have more access to renewable energy, improved crop production and with the right incentives, reduced pressures on water resources, lowering operational costs and boosting income.
But progress is not limited to farms and the local level. In Ghana, research applying advanced analytical methods to the Volta River Basin shows how planning across the water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus can unlock substantial gains. A strategy that solely relies on hydropower’s flexibility to integrate solar and wind energy could increase renewable energy generation capacity significantly, but at the cost of damaging river ecosystems and reducing agricultural sector revenues by US$169 million per year.
A diversified investment strategy, on the other hand, including intermittent renewables, bioenergy, transmission lines and strategic hydropower re-operation could enhance Ghana’s agricultural performance while meeting future national energy service goals and reducing Carbon Dioxide emissions. Frameworks such as these support national climate planning instruments by helping countries steer towards diversified and efficient power systems and highlighting their sectoral and emission trade-offs and synergies.
Similarly, regional cooperation for water, energy, food and ecosystems in the Mekong River Basin shows how coordinated efforts have resulted in better drought and flood management, stronger early warning systems and better data sharing across countries.
There are many untapped opportunities to leverage solutions across different sectors, and this is the kind of forward-thinking cooperation that countries can pursue.
A revolution in water data for governance
This brings us to the critical role of data-driven governance and international cooperation in unlocking sustainable water solutions. We are on the cusp of a revolution in water data that make it possible to fully realize untapped opportunities in basins such as the Mekong and the Volta.
Lack of data has always been a constraint for water management, especially in less developed countries. This is changing fast because of a combination of Earth observation, artificial intelligence-powered tools and virtual-technology innovations like Digital Twins. These advancements are making it easier to access data and enable institutions, communities and government bodies to harness analytical tools. As a result, they are able to interpret data and find solutions in a clear, workable language that meets people’s needs.
The water, energy, food and ecosystems nexus is inherently complex, but with a revolution in water data, countries can work towards a much more evidence-driven, science-backed approach to water governance and indeed multi-sector solutions for the nexus. With more data, we can focus more surely on real problems in real places. This will help us clarify where trade-offs exist and where mutually beneficial solutions can be found.
As we progress in this year of water in 2026, stepping up to leverage these solutions is what cooperation among countries is all about. Only then can we find win-win solutions that benefit communities across borders, increase efficiency and create value, particularly in the interconnected realms of food, water, energy and ecosystems.
In this blog, Mark Smith, director general of IWMI, reflects on insights he shared during a panel discussion on the water, energy, food and ecosystem nexus at the World Governments Summit held from February 3–5, 2026, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.