Table of contents
Executive Summary
Global Freshwater Resource Management
Global Problems, Challenges, Limitations
Global Solutions
At the global scale, the overarching, global legal framework provided by the UN Convention on the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses establishes basic standards and rules for cooperation between watercourse states on the use, management, and protection of international watercourses [Loures et al., 2009]. Unfortunately, this Treaty has not yet come into force due to insufficient signatories (as of January 2012, Status: Signatories=16; Parties=24; 35 Contracting States required for Convention to come into force); however, once in force, countries must themselves define what exactly these terms imply in their own watersheds they share with others.
Though they do not exclusively focus on water issues, the following global agreements provide an
important support framework for cooperation:
- Ramsar Convention. The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.10 The Ramsar Convention requires cooperation between Parties on matters of mutual interest and highlights the urgent need to improve the allocation and management of water within transboundary inland water systems; it has adopted important guiding tools dealing specifically with interstate cooperation for managing transboundary wetlands [Brels et al., 2008].
- UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD) is a comprehensive, binding agreement covering the use and conservation of biodiversity.11 Under the CBD, the program of work on Inland Water Ecosystems includes numerous goals and activities that refer to water allocation and management, directly or indirectly, in addition to addressing transboundary waters. Though the CBD promotes international cooperation as a crucial prerequisite for Parties to achieve their goals, it lacks specific rules and principles governing cooperation between watercourse States and promoting the equitable and reasonable use and management of international watercourses [Brels et al., 2008].
- UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) requires states to promote the restoration, conservation, and sustainable management of land and water, and to cooperate with each other for the protection of those resources. The UNCCD also requires neighboring countries to work together in developing action programs, which may include the joint sustainable management of transboundary water resources [Loures et al., 2009].
In the analysis International Architecture for Transboundary Water Management, three broad lessons for treaty effectiveness were identified (i) process legitimacy in bringing a treaty into force; (ii) institutional arrangements and responsibilities for the treaty implementation are fundamental to its ongoing effectiveness and adaptability (flexibility); and (iii) mechanisms for monitoring and even enforcement need to be in place to facilitate the dialogue around compliance [Pegasys, 2010].
There are also global institutions and groups that specifically focus on freshwater resources:
- UN-Water is the United Nations inter-agency mechanism for all UN agencies, departments, and programs involved in water-related issues. It is responsible for follow-up to the waterrelated decisions reached at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It supports Member States in their efforts to achieve water- and sanitation-related goals and targets. UN-Water acts at the global, national and regional levels, creating added value to the work and expertise of separate United Nations agencies and programs [UN Water, 2008].
- Global Water Partnership (GWP): Founded in 1996 by the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the GWP fosters integrated water resource management (IWRM). Developed and developing country government institutions, agencies of the United Nations, bi- and multi-lateral development banks, professional associations, research institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector involved in water resources management are all welcome to join.12
- UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO): The FAO has a fundamental enabling mandate through its Development Law Service: it helps member countries sharing a transboundary river, lake, or aquifer to establish a legal and institutional environment conducive to be stable and mutually beneficial.
