SINGAPORE – Effective management of natural resources across national borders will help reduce resource scarcity and enable cooperation, thereby reducing the risk of conflict between countries.

This is a key message from a November 11 statement by Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and four of her ministerial counterparts from the six-country Green Group – a multinational initiative that aims to promote policies and green solutions in international relations.

“Without coordinated and decisive global action, increasing resource scarcity and environmental degradation can exacerbate tensions and potentially spark conflict,” said Dr. Balakrishnan and four ministers from Slovenia, Cape Verde, Costa Rica and the United Arab Emirates in a statement released on the first day of the meeting. United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29). Iceland is also part of the Green Group.

Water is a major source of cross-border conflicts between countries. In 2020, Mexican farmers seized a dam in their border state to prevent water from being diverted from their parched fields and sent to the United States. They also ambushed hundreds of soldiers during the conflict.

“As essential resources like water often cross national borders, it is necessary to take a cross-border approach to their management to ensure fair and equitable access for all,” the ministers said.

As global climate pressures intensify, the need for innovative solutions and significant investments in water management becomes paramount, they added.

The Green Group released the statement as 2024 marks the year of three environment-related UN conferences. While COP29 takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan, the United Nations biodiversity summit in Colombia ended in early November. In December, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification will be held in Saudi Arabia.

“These three COPs are key forums that help address the interconnected elements of today’s triple planetary crisis – biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution,” the country leaders said, stressing that conference delegates must ensure that the policies and measures taken are timely. and global approach to meeting environmental challenges.

The ministers noted that tackling climate change and environmental issues requires a global effort beyond the capabilities of any single country. Environmental challenges can influence the peace and security of every country.

“As climate change exacerbates resource scarcity and extreme weather events, displaces communities and increases the risk of conflict over vital resources such as water, land and food, it therefore deepens existing inequalities and weakens social resilience,” they added.

The Greens Group cited nature-based solutions as a way to protect ecosystems while tackling social inequalities. For example, reforestation or mangrove planting projects can be carried out by local communities and can also create jobs.

They also highlighted the role of young people and women in responding to global crises. Existing inequalities make women most vulnerable to environmental impacts, but seeing them become leaders and participate in climate action initiatives can help create impact while tackling gender inequality.

Ministers also stressed that climate finance must be available and accessible to developing countries to achieve their decarbonization goals. This is a nod to the main goal of COP29, which is to adopt a global climate finance target that would channel money from developed countries to less developed countries.