In this Water Diplomat / OOSKAnews Voices Q and A, we talk to Johan Gely, Head of Global Program, Water, for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). presents the case for a Nobel Peace Prize to be awarded to a River Basin Organisation.

Gely has dedicated his career overseas (advising multi-stakeholder platforms, governments, civil society organisations and the private sector in transitional economies, fragile states and emerging market economies in Asia, Africa and Latin America), and in Switzerland (Federal Department of Economic Affairs and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs) to support a common goal: positioning water prominently in the governments and the global debate to contribute to a water-secure world for All.

The Water Diplomat / OOSKAnews:

We have noticed a fascinating call from you on a social network for nomination of a water organisation – an International River Basin Organisation – for the Nobel peace prize. For those less familiar with the nature and function of River Basin Organisations, can you take a moment to describe what they do, and what is the link with peace?

Johan Gely:

The quest for universal and sustainable access to water made the modern world. This is not recognised. Let us recall John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s quote on water: “Anybody who can solve the problems of water will be worthy of two Nobel Prizes, one for peace and one for science.” And, when listening to Alfred Nobel, the Peace Nobel Prize should go to a person (and / or organisation) who accomplished "the most or the best work for fraternity among nations…those who shall have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind...”