The Urgency of Transboundary Water Cooperation
Water is the source of life, sustaining communities, economies, and ecosystems worldwide. Yet, increasingly, water is also a source of conflict. As climate change amplifies water-related challenges, from droughts and floods to pollution and resource scarcity, the need for effective transboundary water cooperation has never been more pressing.
More than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. However, only 24 countries have cooperation agreements for all their shared water resources. This fragmented approach to managing transboundary waters leaves communities and nations vulnerable to the impacts of water-related crises, which can spark social unrest, economic disruption, and even violent conflict.
“When water is scarce or polluted, or when people have unequal, or no access, tensions can rise between communities and countries,” as highlighted by the United Nations on World Water Day 2024. The theme, “Water for Peace,” underscores the pivotal role that transboundary water cooperation can play in fostering harmony, generating prosperity, and building resilience to shared challenges.
Navigating the Complexities of Transboundary Water Management
Effective transboundary water cooperation is a complex and multifaceted endeavor, requiring a delicate balance of technical expertise, political will, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. The International Joint Commission (IJC), which oversees water management along the Canada-U.S. border, has been at the forefront of this challenge, leveraging its unique role as a binational organization to facilitate innovative strategies for shared water governance.
As highlighted at the 2023 American Water Resources Association (AWRA) Annual Conference, the IJC’s expertise spans a range of critical areas, including:
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Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM): The IJC’s approach involves coordinating diverse perspectives, such as those from Indigenous communities, agriculture, municipalities, and other stakeholders, to develop water use regulations that balance ecosystem health and socioeconomic benefits.
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Adaptive Management: The IJC’s Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Adaptive Management (GLAM) Committee uses advanced modeling tools and robust stakeholder engagement to adapt regulation plans for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River system in response to changing conditions and record-high water levels.
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Climate Change Adaptation: The IJC’s Climate Change Guidance Framework helps to identify strategies for enhancing the resilience of transboundary watersheds in the face of evolving climate-related challenges, such as the ongoing four-year study on the impacts of climate change on the St. Mary and Milk Rivers, which span the Canada-U.S. border.
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Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building: The International Watersheds Initiative (IWI), which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2023, has been instrumental in fostering local and Indigenous participation in addressing water challenges within the IJC’s key watershed and pilot watershed boards.
These innovative approaches demonstrate the critical role that transboundary institutions can play in navigating the complex and ever-evolving landscape of water resource management. By prioritizing inclusive, science-based, and adaptive strategies, the IJC has set a powerful example for other regions grappling with the realities of shared water resources.
Leveraging Water for Peace: The UN Water Convention
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is another key player in the global effort to promote transboundary water cooperation. The 10th session of the Meeting of the Parties to the UN Water Convention, scheduled for October 2024, will serve as a pivotal platform for advancing this crucial agenda.
Convened just seven months after World Water Day 2024, which focused on “Water for Peace,” this event will bring together over 500 participants, including high-level representatives from more than 80 countries, to discuss crucial topics such as:
- Climate Change Adaptation: Exploring how transboundary water cooperation can enhance climate resilience and support mitigation efforts.
- The Source-to-Sea Approach: Addressing the interconnectedness of water resources, from upstream to downstream, and the need for holistic management strategies.
- The Water-Food-Energy-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus: Promoting cross-sectoral collaboration and ecosystem preservation to secure water, food, and energy supplies.
- Financing Transboundary Water Cooperation: Identifying innovative mechanisms to support the implementation of transboundary agreements and projects.
One of the key outcomes expected from the meeting is the adoption of an innovative work program for 2025-2027, which will chart the course for the Water Convention’s continued efforts to support peace through water, address global environmental crises, and foster sustainable water management practices.
Fostering Integrated Water Solutions: The FAO’s iRTP-WS
Alongside the high-profile efforts of the IJC and the UN Water Convention, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has also been at the forefront of promoting integrated water solutions to address the challenges of water scarcity and climate change.
The launch of the 2024-2025 workplan for the Inter-Regional Technical Platform on Water Scarcity (iRTP-WS) on September 30th, 2024, marked a significant milestone in FAO’s cross-regional collaboration efforts.
The iRTP-WS workplan, themed “Integrated Water Solutions: Navigating Climate Change and WEFE Nexus Dynamics,” underscores the importance of the Water-Energy-Food-Environment (WEFE) Nexus in addressing water scarcity and building climate resilience. The platform’s proposed solution packages focus on:
- Nexus Thinking: Fostering an integrated, cross-sectoral approach to water management.
- Nexus In-Action: Implementing practical, context-specific solutions that leverage the WEFE Nexus.
- Nexus for Resilience: Developing strategies to enhance the resilience of water, food, and energy systems in the face of climate change.
- Nexus for Sustainability: Promoting sustainable water, land, and ecosystem management practices.
By aligning these efforts across FAO’s regional offices and global initiatives, the iRTP-WS aims to catalyze innovative and collaborative approaches to water scarcity and climate adaptation, ultimately contributing to the achievement of food and water security worldwide.
Conclusion: A Call to Action for Transboundary Water Cooperation
As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change and growing water-related challenges, the imperative for effective transboundary water cooperation has never been more pressing. The experiences and insights shared by the IJC, the UN Water Convention, and the FAO’s iRTP-WS highlight the critical role that institutions, international frameworks, and cross-regional collaboration can play in navigating these complex issues.
Ultimately, the success of transboundary water cooperation depends on the collective efforts of governments, communities, and stakeholders to prioritize water as a shared resource and a fundamental human right. By embracing integrated, adaptive, and inclusive approaches to water management, we can unlock the power of water to foster peace, promote sustainable development, and build resilience to the ever-evolving challenges of our time.
The Joint Action for Water platform stands ready to support and amplify these vital efforts, connecting practitioners, policymakers, and communities to drive positive change. Together, we can harness the transformative potential of water to create a more just, equitable, and resilient world for all.
