Transboundary Hydro-Governance

Abstract

In this chapter, the international dimension is added to hydro-governance in order to define and analyse the so-called “Transboundary Hydro-governance”. Waters shared by two or more different countries have to be managed equitably through cooperation between riparian countries: no matter if they form an international border or if they are crossing political boundaries, such waters are “Internationally shared” or “Internationally Transboundary” or simply “transboundary”. Besides the UN General Assembly Resolution 64/292/28–67-2010 declaration recognising the universal human right to water, water belongs to humanity and cannot be appropriated exclusively by different groups or interests. Fair transboundary hydro-governance means that no-harm is produced from one country to other watercourse countries. In this chapter we analyse the various drivers of transboundary waters governance, to understand how such governance can answer the new challenges of economic changes world-wide, as the traditional concepts of governmental policy evolve with, among others, the growing understanding that public participation, in the various forms proposed in Chap. 4, is a major contributor to a “good” hydro-governance. We examine what international joint institutions can be established, defining their roles and modes of action, and their strengths and weaknesses, to prepare for Chap. 6 and the identification of the instruments that are needed to implement transboundary waters governance in practice.

If all the world’s peoples work together, a secure and sustainable water future can be ours.

Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary-General