entry into force of the un watercourses convention: why should we care?

XIV IWRA World Water Congress

Porto de Galinhas, 25-29 September 2011

Entry into force of the UN Watercourses Convention:

Why should we care?

Flavia Rocha Loures

2. The UN Watercourses Convention

Background

Importance

The UN Watercourses Convention: Goals, objectives and content

“Ensure the utilisation, development,

conservation, management and protection of

international watercourses and the promotion of

the optimal and sustainable utilisation thereof for

present and future generations;” whilst “taking

into account the special situation and needs of

developing countries.” (Preamble)

Transboundary Water Resources: A Case for Multi-level Legal Governance

UN Watercourses Convention; ILC Draft Articles

Cooperation in border areas between local communities

Global

Regional

Basin

Sub-basin

SADC Protocol, Water Framework Directive, UNECE Water Convention

Amazon Treaty

National

Sub-national/local

National laws incorporating concerns with transboundary waters

Agreements on the Mekong, Congo

The UN Watercourses Convention: Legal Objective

Codification of customary law

Clarification of customary law

Framework for the development of customary law

Non-ratification & non-entry into force:

Legal Effects

The UN Watercourses Convention: Functions

A common denominator for

• Inspiring future watercourse agreements (new or revised)

• Supporting existing agreements

The UN Watercourses Convention: Functions

In the absence of applicable watercourse agreements:

• A firm common ground governing or guiding interstate relations

• A mandate for interstate dialogue

The UN Watercourses Convention: Functions

A mother convention for the development of global treaty law on emerging issues

A foundation for international water cooperation in support of other multilateral environmental agreements

A stronger “soft-law” instrument with effects on non-parties

Consolidation of additional provisions as customary law

The UN Watercourses Convention: Effects on non-parties

Thank you!

Slide 22

http://www.panda.org/what_we_do/how_we_work/policy/conventions/water_conventions/

Flavia Rocha Loures Flavia.Loures@wwfus.org