WPS Symposium: From Fragility to Resilience

HCSS conducts strategic research and analyses on issues of international peace and security, geopolitical developments and global trends, conflict management, defence transformation, cyber and the climate-security nexus.

HCSS - The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies

Engaging Defence and Security Actors in Water Security

The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies

WPS 4D Mini-Symposium - From Fragility to Resilience: Engaging Defence and Security Actors in Water Security Date: 5 November 2025Time: 13:30-17:30Location: The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) The Water, Peace, and Security (WPS) Partnership invites you to join a focused dialogue on the role of defence and security actors in tackling water-related security challenges. Around the world, security actors are increasingly called upon to respond to climate change–induced disasters and stabilise regions where water risks threaten peace. Yet, integration into broader cross-sectoral efforts remains limited.The Symposium will:• Explore ways to enhance the comprehensive 4D-approach, synergising defence, diplomacy, development, and disaster relief.• Highlight field experiences from Iraq, Ethiopia, Kenya and Mali, that can inform more coordinated, anticipatory, and integrated global responses.• Share lessons learned from defence and security engagement in addressing water security risks.We kindly ask you to save the date and register your attendance via Eventbrite. Programme13:00 – 13:30 | Registration and Coffee13:30 – 14:00 | Opening Remarks and Fireside Chat<ul><li>Opening Remarks: Laura Birkman, Director of the Climate, Water, and Food Security Programme at HCSS and Lead WPS engagement in Iraq</li><li>Fireside chat between Johanna Sumuvuori (Director of the European CoE for Civilian Crisis Management) and Kees Matthijssen (Lt. Gen (ret.), former Force Commander MINUSMA)</li></ul>14:00 – 15:10 | Session 1 – Lessons from the Field: Defence and Security Actors in Fragile SettingsPanel discussion moderated by Abigail Robinson (Director, Continua) between:<ul><li>Lt. Gen. (ret.) Nico Tak (Strategic Advisor Defence and Security at HCSS, Former Head of the Comprehensive Crisis and Operations Management Centre, NATO)</li><li>Dr. Esther van ‘t Veen (Assistant Professor Civil Military Relations, Netherlands Defence Academy)</li><li>Salman Khairalla (Co-Founder Humat Dijlah/Save the Tigris Foundation, Iraq)</li></ul>15:10 - 15:30 | Coffee Break15:30 – 16:40 | Session 2 – Operationalising the 4D Approach in Fragile Contexts and BeyondPanel discussion moderated by Audrey Legat (Senior Advisor on Water governance and international water cooperation, Deltares) between:<ul><li>Gen. (ret.) Tom Middendorp (Chairman International Military Council on Climate and Security (IMCCS), Former Chief of Defence of the Dutch Armed Forces, WPS Advisory Board Member)</li><li>Sophie Volmer (Coordinating Policy Officer Integrated Water Resource Management, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs)</li><li>Dr. Esther Marijnen (Associate Professor Sociology of Development and Change, Wageningen University)</li><li>Rolien Sasse (Executive Director, PAX)</li></ul>16:40 – 17:20 | Session 3 – Interactive Dialogue: Reflections, Takeaways &amp; Future Pathways17:20 - 17:30 | Closing Remarks &amp; Next Steps<ul><li>Event Rapporteur: Tobias von Lossow (Research Fellow, Clingendael)</li><li>Closing Remarks &amp; Next Steps: Laura Birkman (Director Climate, Water, and Food Security Programme, WPS/HCSS)</li></ul>17:30 | Networking Reception We kindly ask you to save the date and register your attendance via the Eventbrite website. Your voice and expertise are vital to shaping the conversation on how defence and security actors can help address water-related security challenges. We look forward to your active participation in this important dialogue.This symposium is informed by our recent <a href="https://hcss.nl/report/wps-policy-brief-addressing-water-related-security-challenges-in-fragile-settings-opportunities-and-limitations-for-defence-and-security-actors/" title="https://hcss.nl/report/wps-policy-brief-addressing-water-related-security-challenges-in-fragile-settings-opportunities-and-limitations-for-defence-and-security-actors/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Policy Brief | Addressing Water-related Security Challenges in Fragile Settings: Opportunities and Limitations for Defence and Security Actors</a> For more information on the WPS Partnership, please visit our website: <a href="https://waterpeacesecurity.org/info/iraq" title="https://waterpeacesecurity.org/info/iraq" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Water, Peace and Security</a>. We hope to welcome you to the Mini-Symposium. Yours sincerely,Laura BirkmanDirector of Climate, Water and Food Security at The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS)

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WPS Symposium: From Fragility to Resilience

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