Bridging waters and networks: Cybersecurity meets hydrodiplomacy | Geneva Cyber Week

Geopolitical tensions have increasingly drawn attention to the vulnerability of shared critical infrastructure, with pipelines, energy grids, and undersea cables becoming frequent targets. Water infrastructure is no exception—its weaponisation in armed conflicts reflects a growing and deeply concerning trend.

At the same time, water remains a vital resource with a long-standing role in fostering cooperation. Across regions and rivalries, it has prompted dialogue, joint management, and cross-border governance frameworks. This spirit of collaboration is at the heart of the Blue Peace initiative, championed by the Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace, launched in Geneva ten years ago.

This session will explore how the principles of hydrodiplomacy—negotiating shared access and mutual benefit—can offer valuable insights for protecting and managing today’s shared digital infrastructure. It will also address the specific risks facing water systems and examine how cybersecurity is becoming an essential layer of protection in both domains.

This session is co-hosted by DiploFoundation and the Geneva Water Hub and is a part of the inaugural Geneva Cyber Week.