**2. Materials, Methods, and Theoretical Background**

The author collected research material data in 2018–2021 about water diplomacy projects, events, and strategies. Then, it became the subject of analyses. The researcher examined primary sources as well as the rich literature. The author acquired relevant data from, among others, United Nations, Strategic Foresight Group, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, European Union Institute for Security Studies, Emirates Diplomatic Academy, and Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies. To investigate the discussed issue and answer the research question, the researcher selected case studies on Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and the river basins showing immense sensitivity to water-related conflicts. Furthermore, the world's great powers are directly or indirectly involved in these regions and river basins. The author examined various actors, both state and non-state. The researcher analyzed the UN, a global organization that adopted SDGs and engaged in water diplomacy. The adopted case studies are analytical and empirical. Therefore, qualitative methods have been used, aimed at causal explanation and interpretation. The adopted case analysis goal is to find an answer to the research question by investigating the sequence of events, starting from the causes and ending with the observed effect. The concept of power and interdependence was adopted as the key theory. In addition, the author draws on personal experiences in and observations of bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. Thus, the approach presented in this article is novel. Therefore, this research has unique significance for the ongoing discussion on global challenges.

A theoretical apparatus was used to better understand international processes about water diplomacy, the SDGs, and the new global security structure. In addition, this research analyzed numerous government and NGO documents and their initiatives, projects, and commitment to water diplomacy. This article is based on the concept of complex interdependence, investigating the system and international order. It refers to the interdependence of states and other actors on the international stage. Keohane and Nye emphasize the diminishing role and importance of states in shaping foreign policy. In creating a new architecture of international relations, there has been a growing influence of non-state actors, including international organizations with international regimes, NGOs, pressure groups, and transnational corporations. However, the essential conceptual value of complex interdependence is to combine, in the neo-liberalist school, with some elements of realism concerning the anarchic world order, and the recognition of nation-states as the main subjects of international relations and global politics. Thus, this concept combined power politics and economic liberalism while showing that these categories concerning ecological interdependence can lead to competition. In complex interdependence, the role and significance of hard power also are significant. Pressure on a weaker partner, and the other, as readiness for armed conflict, resulted in economic competition and political conflict. For in-depth analysis, the Waltz statements were valuable, among others, such as those that regard anarchy as a 'permanent' force. While Tucker pointed to the inequalities in the distribution of power in the global order. Given the concept of a weaker partner, the hierarchical system of predominance. Thus, Herz, Kissinger, Wolfers, and Aron were appropriate for analyzing hegemony.

#### **3. Case Studies**

This section is divided into subheadings. It provides a concise and precise description of the experimental results, their interpretation, as well as the experimental conclusions that can be drawn. The security situation analyses in different regions show that various groups use water hegemony, among others, as a tool of military operations conducted by terrorists. Therefore, the international community must recognize the water's significance for sustainable development and international peace and security [8]. Solutions that address water challenges are a significant element of geopolitical analyses and foreign and security policies. The Middle East, Africa, and Asia are of increasing importance for emerging global security architecture. The numerous conflicts and military operations in these areas involve major global and regional players. The end of wars and conflict resolution in these parts of the world will not only affect the formation of the new geopolitical system in the region, it will also affect the shape of the new global security architecture. Since 2003, the war in Iraq has been seen as a major change (transition in power) in the weakening of the US position in influencing and shaping the security system, enhancing China's role and significance. Thus, a new political and economic platform for strategic cooperation between the Middle East, African countries, and China is created. This will affect the new global security architecture. Asia also is facing increasingly severe water challenges. Although this continent is home to more than half of the world's population, people lack fresh water. Moreover, the rapid growth of residents in Asia in the coming years will affect the increasing challenge of freshwater access, especially in cities. Also, the effects of climate change contribute to a growing threat. Climate change will lead to, amongst other things, massive migrations of people seeking conditions that enable their survival. Consequently, such a situation will cause tensions and upset political and economic structures. This, in turn, will have an impact on disrupting the current geopolitical image, including the regional security structure. This diagnosis is confirmed, among others, by the US National Intelligence Council's Global Trends 2025 report [1].
