Reverberating Effects for Fertilizer, Food, and Water Security in Times of Conflict

ORF ME as part of the contribution to the UN Water Conference Academic Hub in collaboration with the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) will be co-hosting a webinar session titled “Reverberating Effects for Climate, Food and Water Security in times of Conflict” on Wednesday, April 8.

Session Overview:

Mounting tensions around key maritime chokepoints and trade routes reveal globally entrenched dependencies on food imports and singular trade corridors. Recent attacks on water infrastructure also threatens water security and broader urban resilience in the Middle East, while military operations emit harmful emissions, leading to ecological damage. This panel will convene leading global experts from the Middle East, India, Europe, and the USA to unpack the immediate and long-term implications of the unfolding conflict on regional and global fertilizer trade, food, water security, and climate. The discussion will unpack how governments and markets are strategising to mitigate shocks, learning from prior crises such as conflicts in other regions and the COVID-19 pandemic.

About this collaboration:

The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) is one of 13 institutes comprising the United Nations University (UNU), the academic arm of the United Nations. Established in 1996 through an agreement with the Government of Canada, UNU-INWEH is headquartered in the City of Richmond Hill, Ontario. UNU-INWEH specializes in addressing critical global security and development challenges at the intersection of water, environment, and health. Through research, capacity development, policy engagement, and knowledge dissemination, the institute bridges the gap between scientific evidence and the practical needs of policymakers and UN member states, with particular attention to low- and middle-income countries.

The UN Water Conference Academic Hub is an initiative co-led by UNU, UNESCO and UNITAR in collaboration with UN DESA and other members of the Task Force on “Water Action Decade Implementation” as well as other UN-Water Members and Partners. It is a collaborative space designed to mobilize knowledge, expertise, and diverse perspectives in support of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference. It provides a clear and accessible entry point for contributors who wish to meaningfully engage with the Conference process and help shape its outcomes through evidence-based insights and inputs.

Participants:

1. Joseph Glauber, Research Fellow Emeritus, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Former Chief Economist, US Department of Agriculture
2. Mohammed Mahmoud, Middle East Climate and Water Policy Lead at UNU-INWEH, CEO, Climate and Water Initiative
3. Shruti Jain, Associate Fellow, Centre for Development Studies, Observer Research Foundation
4. Frédéric Schneider, Senior Fellow, Middle East Council on Global Affairs
5. Moderator: Leigh Mante, Junior Fellow, Climate and Energy, ORF Middle East