Warning at UN Security Council over risks posed by water crisis and climate change to Libya’s stability

Eight countries warned in a joint statement issued ahead of a UN Security Council briefing on the situation in Libya that the worsening water crisis and climate-related risks could undermine domestic stability, increase local conflicts over resources, and further weaken state institutions already affected by political divisions.

The statement, issued by Colombia, Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, Liberia, Panama and the United Kingdom, highlighted the intersection of environmental crises with the security and economic challenges facing the country.

The signatories said severe water scarcity has pushed Libya to rely heavily on non-renewable groundwater, while aging infrastructure is placing additional pressure on the Great Man-Made River system amid rising temperatures and increasingly irregular rainfall.

The statement noted that the agricultural sector, despite occupying less than 2% of the country’s land area, consumes the majority of Libya’s available water resources.

It cited the 2023 Derna floods as a stark example of how climate-related risks can turn into a humanitarian disaster due to weak infrastructure and institutional fragmentation. It also highlighted conditions in southern Libya, where the threat is particularly acute because of persistent drought, displacement and food insecurity.

According to the statement, the combination of climate pressures and drought in the south with cross-border movements, pastoral activities, smuggling and trafficking networks, and armed groups is increasing the vulnerability of local communities and fueling tensions.

The joint statement called for urgent practical measures, including accelerating the implementation of Libya’s National Water Security Strategy (2026–2050) and providing international financial and technical support to address groundwater depletion and infrastructure gaps.

It also called for stronger cooperation with neighboring countries to manage shared regional water resources, particularly the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System, to prevent them from becoming a source of conflict.

The signatories welcomed Libya’s adoption in July 2026 of its first strategic climate framework under the Paris Agreement, stressing the need to unify the management of climate and disaster risks rather than leaving responsibilities fragmented among different authorities.