**1. Introduction**

The global system of international relations, built on the European, Westphalian model, has been undergoing fundamental transformations. The era of the fourth industrial revolution brings new challenges and new communication as well as cooperation tools. In this process, there is an increasing interdependence between and among the system participants. At the same time, there is a growing striving for hegemony, especially in the global security architecture. Thus, on the one hand, the issue of international anarchy remained relevant within a system of increasing economic interdependence. On the other hand, populism continued to play a significant role in state-to-state relations. International anarchy emphasizes the acquiring of national power and the building of regional and even world predominance. However, the beginning of the twenty-first century brought events that led to profound changes in the dimension of global security architecture, including environmental challenges and climate change. Both are linked directly with water and security. Moreover, 'the war for resources', or the critical infrastructure use, related to the water supply as a tool for struggle, is becoming increasingly important. Thus, the interdependence, power, and hegemony of water issues directly impact the likelihood of conflict, including armed conflict. According to analyses of the United States National Intelligence Director's Office, water will be the reason for many regional conflicts, the collapse of states, and cause instability in countries of strategic importance to US interests [1].

This article has adopted the research question: what is the role and significance of water diplomacy for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global security architecture? A hypothesis has been adopted emphasizing that water diplomacy, as a network of cooperation, state, and non-state actors for water, contributes to more effective implementation of the SDGs and increasing peace in the world. Over the concept of water diplomacy in literature, apart from emphasizing its other elements, as indicated by Huntjens et al., there is common acceptance of the fundamental role of many actors, state and non-state, as well

as the importance of their multi-dimensional cooperation [2] (p. 86). Water diplomacy is crucial for the United Nations (UN) Agenda 2030, SDGs implementation, and the global security system. The UN has defined water challenges as one of the most significant global challenges [3]. According to data from the United Nations, over 2 billion people worldwide experience a severe water shortage. As predicted, by 2030, due to the increasing effects of climate change and the lack of sufficient fresh water, there will be large human migrations of up to 700 million. By 2040, 25 percent of children under the age of 18 worldwide will experience an extreme freshwater shortage [4]. Increasing water pollution, including chemicals and solid waste, primarily plastics, is causing many infectious diseases. The consequence is the rapid spread of microbial contamination among people, affecting the entire ecosystem. It will directly impact international security policies and structures.

After the fall of the Cold War and the bipolar world order, a new global security architecture is emerging. It is identified by decentralized tendencies and a complex interdependence between influential transnational actors. This, in turn, leads to the need for effective policy coordination and diplomatic approaches as well as more flexible and facilitating cooperation with many non-state actors, including NGOs, universities, civil societies, and the business sector. Diplomacy tools have been changing in recent years because of interconnected, hybrid, international relations and the need to face current global challenges. In this context, water diplomacy refers to the ways and means in which state and non-state actors cooperate. Water diplomacy includes a myriad of approaches, for example, bilateral, multilateral, science-based solutions, cooperation, and governance [5].

This article calls for a new approach in water diplomacy, presented as part of modern diplomacy—a global interdependence network, working together to promote strategic ties on bilateral, regional, and global challenges related to water. This future world interdependent network includes national diplomatic services, international organizations, local authorities, leaders of social groups, including religious, numerous non-governmental organizations, and entrepreneurs and business leaders. Therefore, this cooperation assumes the adoption of many strategies, projects, and innovative solutions. Water diplomacy prioritizes the issues of reducing economic and political tensions between countries, making efforts to prevent conflicts, and, in the event of their occurrence, solving them effectively. In this reality, multinational corporations will play an increasingly important role. They use water diplomacy to promote new technologies, increase their sales volume, and increase their income. In addition, corporations could be involved in other critically important ways. One example is supporting diplomacy by supporting the processes of the Conference of the Parties, as part of the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Sustainable Development Goals-related projects are crucial as they address key global, contemporary, and future challenges, largely related to water. Therefore, to achieve these goals, water diplomacy is required. In this sense, this article illustrates water diplomacy with a broader dimension of cooperation, beyond water-specific issues, as a specific contribution to the debate. A fundamental issue for the development of all countries, regions, and the world, including the implementation of SDGs, is peace based on a stable global security structure. However, water has been the source of hundreds of conflicts during this century [6]. The twenty-first century may be characterized by water wars [7] (p. 2). Therefore, many international entities, including international organizations, undertook initiatives to avoid this risk.

The research target is to explore the role and importance of water diplomacy for global challenges, including Sustainable Development Goals. This paper first reviews the literature and documents of the subject. Moreover, the author implemented an appropriate research method based on the complex interdependence concept. Additionally, the research utilized case study methods. Research is limited in scope due to the sample size and geographic area. The case studies focus on the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The rationale behind this choice is that these regions are most affected by limited access to fresh water, with the consequences of conflicts. Moreover, the study focuses on international

actors involved in multilateral diplomacy within the United Nations, which, with a global purview, adopted the SDGs.
