The Urgency of Transboundary Water Cooperation
Water is a fundamental resource for life, driving economic and social development across the world. However, the impacts of climate change are placing increasing stress on the world’s shared water resources, heightening the need for effective transboundary water cooperation and governance.
More than 40% of the global population lives around transboundary river and lake basins, which are sensitive to the effects of climate change. Rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events are altering the quantity, quality, and reliability of water supplies in many regions. This threatens the livelihoods and wellbeing of communities dependent on these shared water resources.
As water scarcity and variability increase, the potential for water-related conflicts also grows. Effective transboundary water cooperation is therefore critical not only for sustainable development, but also for maintaining peace and security. Countries must work together to manage their shared waters in an integrated, equitable, and climate-resilient manner.
Principles of Integrated Water Resources Management
The framework of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) provides a holistic approach to addressing the complexities of water governance. IWRM is defined as “a process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems.”
At the heart of IWRM are four key principles:
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Integrated Approach: Recognizing the interconnected nature of water with other natural resources, as well as the linkages between water quantity, quality, and ecosystem health.
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Participatory Process: Engaging all relevant stakeholders, including government, civil society, and the private sector, in water resources planning and decision-making.
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Equitable and Sustainable Use: Ensuring that water is allocated and managed in a way that balances the needs of different users and safeguards the environment for present and future generations.
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Enabling Environment: Establishing supportive policies, laws, and institutions to facilitate effective and adaptive water resources management.
These principles are equally relevant for transboundary water cooperation, where countries must work together to apply IWRM across shared river basins, lakes, and aquifers.
Overcoming Barriers to Transboundary Water Cooperation
Despite the clear benefits of transboundary water cooperation, progress has been slow. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), only 32 out of 153 countries sharing transboundary waters have at least 90% of their transboundary basin area covered by operational arrangements for cooperation.
Several key barriers hinder more widespread adoption of IWRM and transboundary water cooperation:
Lack of Political Will: Transboundary water issues can be politically sensitive, with countries reluctant to compromise their national interests. Building trust and a shared vision for cooperation requires persistent diplomatic efforts.
Capacity Gaps: Many countries, especially in the developing world, lack the technical, financial, and institutional capacities to effectively manage their transboundary waters. Strengthening these capabilities is essential.
Data Sharing Challenges: Transparent and regular exchange of water-related data and information is crucial for informed decision-making, but is often hindered by concerns over national sovereignty and security.
Competing Priorities: Balancing the diverse needs of various water users, such as agriculture, industry, and ecosystems, can be challenging, especially in the face of climate change impacts.
Inadequate Legal Frameworks: While international water conventions exist, their implementation remains limited. Countries must establish or strengthen domestic laws and institutions to support transboundary cooperation.
Building Climate-Resilient Transboundary Water Cooperation
To overcome these barriers and enhance climate resilience, countries can take several actions:
1. Leverage Existing Legal Instruments
The 1997 UN Watercourses Convention and the 1992 UNECE Water Convention provide a robust legal framework for transboundary water cooperation. Countries should accede to and implement these conventions, which set out principles for the equitable and sustainable use of shared waters.
2. Strengthen Institutional Capacity
Establishing or empowering river basin organizations, joint management committees, and other transboundary institutions is crucial for coordinating water resources planning and decision-making. These bodies require adequate technical, financial, and human resources to fulfill their mandates effectively.
3. Improve Data Sharing and Knowledge Exchange
Systematic monitoring, data collection, and information sharing among riparian countries is essential for understanding the impacts of climate change on transboundary waters. This can inform joint vulnerability assessments and the development of coordinated adaptation strategies.
4. Foster Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement
Engaging a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, and local communities, in transboundary water governance processes can help ensure equitable and sustainable outcomes. Participatory approaches also build trust and ownership among diverse water users.
5. Mainstream Climate Adaptation into Transboundary Planning
Transboundary water management plans and agreements should explicitly consider climate change impacts and integrate adaptation measures. This may include strategies for water storage, infrastructure resilience, and sustainable water allocation during periods of scarcity or variability.
6. Explore Benefit-Sharing Arrangements
Moving beyond a zero-sum approach to water allocation, countries can explore innovative benefit-sharing mechanisms that equitably distribute the economic, social, and environmental gains from cooperative management of shared waters. This can create win-win scenarios and incentivize continued collaboration.
Inspiring Examples of Climate-Resilient Transboundary Water Cooperation
Around the world, there are promising examples of countries working together to govern their shared waters in the face of climate change:
The Sava River Basin, Southeastern Europe
After the Yugoslav wars, the countries of the Sava River basin (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia) worked to establish the International Sava River Basin Commission. This has led to the development of a comprehensive river basin management plan, joint flood risk management, and coordinated drought response measures – all crucial for building climate resilience in the region.
The Mekong River Commission, Southeast Asia
The Mekong River Commission, comprising Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, has implemented a series of joint studies and modeling efforts to understand the impacts of climate change on the Mekong’s water resources. This has informed the development of a regional climate change adaptation strategy, as well as joint infrastructure planning and water allocation mechanisms.
The Senegal River Basin Development Authority, West Africa
The Senegal River Basin Development Authority, which includes Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, and Senegal, has worked to harmonize national policies, establish a joint water charter, and implement collaborative projects such as the construction of the Manantali Dam. These efforts have enhanced the basin’s climate resilience and the equitable sharing of its water resources.
These examples demonstrate that with political will, institutional capacity, and a shared commitment to IWRM principles, countries can overcome the challenges of transboundary water cooperation and build climate-resilient governance of their shared water resources.
Conclusion: The Path Forward
Addressing the impacts of climate change on transboundary waters requires a fundamental shift in how countries approach water governance. By embracing the principles of IWRM and strengthening transboundary cooperation, nations can safeguard this vital resource, promote sustainable development, and foster regional peace and stability.
Through collective action, informed by the latest scientific knowledge and inclusive of all stakeholders, the global community can unlock the transformative potential of water to address the climate crisis and build a more resilient future for all. The time to act is now.
