Water does not recognize political borders, but what happens when the water your business or community relies on is part of a cross-border alliance? Transboundary water resources, including shared rivers, lakes, and groundwater reserves, present both opportunities and challenges for nations, businesses, and communities. Disputes over water access, pollution, and governance can strain international relations and impact local economies. However, cooperative management strategies offer pathways toward sustainable and equitable water distribution. This episode will explore the intricacies of transboundary water conflicts and cooperation, focusing on groundwater and surface water management, legal frameworks, and the real-world impact on small and medium-sized businesses and local communities that might seem unaffected—but are deeply intertwined with these global water challenges.
Many businesses, farmers, and communities unknowingly depend on transboundary water supplies—and when disputes arise, the consequences trickle down:
Higher consumer prices for essentials like food, clothing, and electricity due to disruptions in water-reliant industries.
Local water access declines as cities and regions fight over dwindling supplies.
How technology and data-sharing improve transboundary management – the role of remote sensing, hydrological modelling, and real-time monitoring.
Learning Objective Participants Can Expect From This Event
- Understand why businesses and communities far from affected regions still face rising costs and supply chain disruptions.
- How international agreements and policies shape local water availability.
- Identify key business sectors at risk due to shared water conflicts and learn how they are adapting.
Who is This Workshop Appropriate For?
- Business owners and entrepreneurs looking to future-proof their operations.
- Supply chain managers and procurement specialists navigating water-related risks.
- Investors and sustainability leaders interested in water resilience as a business strategy.
- Anyone curious about the intersection of water, economics, and business.
How May This Workshop Impact Your Practice?
- Encourages businesses to rethink sourcing, production, and sustainability strategies to adapt to water conflicts.
- Raises awareness of how transboundary water issues affect both local and global economies.
Course Content
Presenter
Shelot Masithi is the Founder and Executive Director of She4Earth, driving innovative, data-driven solutions in water resilience and climate adaptation. With a focused mission on clean water access and sustainable management, She4Earth equips communities and organisations to tackle water scarcity challenges through targeted, impactful initiatives that ensure a water-resilient future.
