 Cooperation
on shared water resources is critical, especially in
water-scarce regions where the upstream and downstream
impacts of consumption and pollution are magnified.
Shared river basin and aquifer systems
continue to present opportunities for cooperation and
joint water resources development within as well as
between countries.
The fact that there are some
264 international water cooperation agreements in place
makes cooperation more likely than conflict and dispute.
But conflicts and disputes occur and it is important
that societies are vigilant and set in place domestic,
and bi- and multilateral mechanisms through which conflicts
and disputes can be mediated in peaceful and effective
ways. Even though there is no blueprint for
how transboundary water cooperation should be done,
it is important that:
- The respective riparian feel an ownership of, and
a political commitment to, processes of promoting
cooperation,
- The benefits of water and productive outcomes of
water are shared,
- The respective riparian shifts focus and moves
from challenges and constraints to opportunities,
- Broad partnerships are built for negotiated outcomes
among and within riparian countries, and
- Trust and personal relations are developed among
riparian delegations from countries and between domestic
water user groups. This is a key ingredient to move
the process forward.
The application of integrated water resources and river
basin management principles across shared water resources
systems makes a good case for effective and equitable
water allocation and harmonisation of water governance
systems. The increasing domestic competition on shared
water resources among user groups is a particular case
in point that often is neglected in current water reforms.
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