Brussels: A seminar organized by the Embassy of Pakistan to Belgium, Luxembourg, the European Union, and NATO, in collaboration with the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), focused on the increasing weaponization of transboundary water resources. The event, titled “Transboundary Water Resources: A Weaponised Global Common,” examined the critical implications of shared water resources on climate change, regional security, and international law.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the seminar featured a keynote address via video message from Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. The gathering brought together a panel of experts, including Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Climate Change, Senator Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, Policy Officer at Water Europe, Ms. Madalena Cepeda, and other distinguished figures in international law and climate policy.

The seminar consisted of two panel discussions addressing issues such as Pakistan’s climate vulnerability and the legal mechanisms necessary for managing shared water resources. The dialogue emphasized the importance of the Indus Waters Treaty as a model for transboundary cooperation and the need for enhanced international collaboration to prevent conflicts over water resources.

In his address, Senator Dar highlighted the enduring significance of international treaties, like the Indus Waters Treaty, in ensuring peaceful coexistence among nations. He also expressed concern over recent developments in Indian water projects that may impact regional stability and water security.

The event concluded with a consensus on the necessity for strengthened international cooperation and adherence to treaty obligations to manage transboundary water resources effectively.