Fresh water as a strategic resource in international politics

Of all the natural resources involved in economic activity, water surpasses all other resources combined in terms of use. Whatever the economic structure of a modern state is, the base of its life support is formed by water and water-intensive food products. By 2030, the world's population is expected to grow by 2 billion people compared to 2010 and will require about 50 percent more food than in 1998. By 2030, more than half of the world's population will live in urban areas. Urbanization is the cause of rapid economic growth, which means the demand for water. Thus, water conflicts between all types of water users - agricultural, domestic and industrial - will arise more often and create difficulties both at the national and international levels.