International Water Cooperation in Europe: Lessons for the Nile Basin Countries?

International river basins are mostly characterized by upstream-downstream externalities that involve asymmetric incentives to cooperate and, therefore, suggest a high conflict potential between riparian states. However, with more than 400 river basin treaties, cooperation along international rivers by far outweighs water-related conflicts. The abundance of international water cooperation despite the odds is puzzling and has so far received little systematic attention. Against this background, I develop a research framework that draws on international regime theory and combines power, interest, knowledge and contextbased approaches to water regime formation. In a second step, I probe the plausibility of my framework in two case studies on international water cooperation in the Rhine and Elbe river basins. The empirical findings suggest that there is no “one-answer-fits-all” in trying to explain water regime formation. While power-based approaches are of limited explanatory value, a thorough understanding of cooperation along the two international rivers requires the combination of interest, knowledge and context-based arguments.

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The Legitimacy of Dam Development in International Watercourses: A Case Study of the Harirud River Basin

Transnational Environmental Law ◽

10.1017/s2047102519000128 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (02) ◽

pp. 247-278 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mohsen Nagheeby ◽

Mehdi Piri D. ◽

Michael Faure

Keyword(s):

River Basin ◽

Customary Law ◽

Water Law ◽

Transboundary Water ◽

Legal Norms ◽

Water Cooperation ◽

International Water Law ◽

International Water ◽

Transboundary Water Cooperation

AbstractThis article examines the international legitimacy of unilateral dam development in an international watercourse from the perspective of international water law. Drawing upon technical analysis over the Harirud River Basin, the article discusses probable negative impacts of unilateral dam development in Afghanistan on downstream Iran and Turkmenistan. Competing claims are analyzed to assess emerging transboundary damage under customary international water law. Applying these insights to the case study, this article explores how legal norms and principles can contribute to transboundary water cooperation. It investigates how equitable and reasonable utilization, as required by the United Nations Watercourse Convention, could be reached and whether current activities are in conformity with international norms. Based on this analysis and in the light of international customary law, the article questions the compatibility of unilateral control and capture of water resources in Afghanistan, particularly through the Salma Dam, with ‘equitable and reasonable utilization’ and ‘no significant harm’ rules. The article also argues that building the Salma Dam results in significant transboundary harm to downstream states. Hence, such harm could be considered as significant transboundary damage. Conclusions point to an understanding of water law as a form of institutional guidance in order to provide a transparent setting for transboundary water cooperation among riparian states.

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Linkages Between Sub-national and International Water Conflicts: The Eastern Nile Basin

Hexagon Series on Human and Environmental Security and Peace - Facing Global Environmental Change ◽

10.1007/978-3-540-68488-6_21 ◽

2009 ◽

pp. 325-334 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Simon A Mason ◽

Tobias Hagmann ◽

Christine Bichsel ◽

Eva Ludi ◽

Yacob Arsano

Keyword(s):

Nile Basin ◽

Water Conflicts ◽

International Water

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Science communication skills for water coverage. Case study: IHE-SciDev training.

Water conflicts and cooperation: a media handbook ◽

10.1079/9781789247954.0010 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 43-48

Author(s):

Charles Wendo

Keyword(s):

Communication Skills ◽

Science Communication ◽

Communication Strategy ◽

Online Course ◽

River Nile ◽

Nile Basin ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Water Cooperation ◽

The Media

Abstract In May 2017, a workshop was held in Cairo, Egypt, to explore ways in which researchers doing research on topics related to the Nile Basin can work with journalists, aiming for better communication of science through media. The workshop hosted 40 participants, including communication specialists, scientists, academics, policy makers and NGOs' representatives from Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan and international organizations. The workshop concluded that researchers and journalists needed more training in communicating and reporting science. In this respect, IHE Delft Institute partnered with SciDev.Net to develop and run an online course, 'Science Communication Skills for Water Cooperation and Diplomacy', which is described in this chapter. The main objective of the online course that took place between October 2018 and March 2019 was to build the capacity of scientists to engage with the media and effectively communicate science, and to deal with the River Nile as a vehicle of cooperation and development rather than conflict. Overall, the course had largely met the desired objectives. Most respondents greatly appreciated practical exercises, especially those on writing a press release and designing a communication strategy. The training platform was accessible and easy to use for most participants. However, there were areas that did not work as expected, most notably the length of the course.

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The Duty to Cooperation in International Water Law – Examining the Contribution of the UN Water Conventions to Facilitating Transboundary Water Cooperation

The UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes ◽

10.1163/9789004291584_020 ◽

2015 ◽

pp. 283-295 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Keyword(s):

Water Law ◽

Transboundary Water ◽

Water Cooperation ◽

International Water Law ◽

International Water ◽

Transboundary Water Cooperation

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Distributive Justice and Sustainability Goals in Transboundary Rivers: Case of the Nile Basin

Frontiers in Environmental Science ◽

10.3389/fenvs.2020.590954 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

S. G. Yalew ◽

J. Kwakkel ◽

N. Doorn

Keyword(s):

Water Management ◽

Resource Sharing ◽

Climate Adaptation ◽

Transboundary Rivers ◽

Nile Basin ◽

Main Indicator ◽

Water Cooperation ◽

Development Goals ◽

Reasonable Use

The importance of cooperation on transboundary waters is stated as a target in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG6: water). Cooperation on transboundary water management is critical, particularly because it concerns issues across multiple states, SDGs and targets regarding agriculture, energy, ecosystems, climate adaptation, health, and peace and security. The percentage of transboundary basin area within a country that has an “operational arrangement” for water cooperation is used as the main indicator of such cooperation in the SDGs for “equitable and reasonable use“ of water resources (SDG 6.5.2). However, no clear criteria and explanation are available for what exactly constitutes an “equitable and reasonable use” in any such “operational arrangements.” Furthermore, it is understandable that any such arrangements may be shaped by differences in historical, legal, and political contexts and hence may be inherently unjust. Here, we highlight the limitations of SDG indicators, particularly SDG 6.5.2, to monitor equity of resource sharing in transboundary river systems. Using Walzer’s theory of morality of the state and cosmopolitanism as a framework, we examine the Nile basin as a case study to demonstrate the shortcomings of current SDG criteria and indicators. Our article contributes ideas of “operationalizing” theoretical justice toward a more equitable water management in transboundary rivers.

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