Water: Thirsty Planet, New Solutions: Three Lessons in Water Security

Feb 24, 2026 | Daniel Myers
Geopolitcal Monitor
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Globally, 2.2 billion people lack access to clean drinking water, and 3.5 billion live without basic sanitation. This situation, detailed in the UN World Water Development Report 2024, extends far beyond a public health crisis. Scarcity has already been recognized as a significant geopolitical and social challenge, fueling water conflicts around the world. Between 1990 and 2023, at least 1,473 water-related conflicts, disputes, and instances of violence were reported worldwide. The past decade shows a sharp acceleration: the number of such incidents surged from 49 in 2014 to 117 in 2023—a 2.4-fold increase. Since 2019 alone, water-related conflicts have risen by approximately 70 percent.