ABSTRACT
The global population is now predominantly urbanised, the result of a long-term urbanisation process as countries pass through the various stages of economic development (UN-HABITAT, 2010). Some countries in Africa and Asia have yet to attain the 50% urbanisation level; however, most are urbanising rapidly and will attain this level within the next two to three decades. The implication for water management in arid regions is that many of these large urban centres have sourced their water supplies from ever greater distances. The need to secure water, as well as the services related to water, has meant that cities in arid regions have become increasingly involved in international transboundary water management processes. This involvement is a factor usually overlooked in the analysis of transboundary water management processes in arid regions.
