6 - Rights and international laws of transboundary water resources

Abstract

With the declining availability of available water resources, the number and seriousness of water disputes between countries located in shared watersheds have increased. Some analysts have predicted that the next century will witness a war on water resources. The dramatic increase in water consumption and the scarcity of water resources have led many countries to take advantage of international rivers and shared water resources. It is, therefore, predicted that the water shortage crisis would be a critical factor in future tensions and conflicts in the world. Lack of familiarity with international water laws and different principles in the exploitation of globally shared water resources can significantly increase the tensions and conflicts between cross-border water resources countries. The main challenge of disputes, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, is how to divide the water resources. International rules and regulations on transboundary water resources include Helsinki Rules, European Water Convention, United Nations Water Convention in 1997, and Berlin Water Resources Rules. This article analyzes international documents and information, existing international laws on transboundary waters, as well as existing water treaties between countries.