ABSTRACT
The UN Watercourses Convention sets forth a framework for States to utilize in establishing transboundary, multilateral water agreements. The Convention sets forth guiding principles of law, including States shall utilize transboundary watercourses in an “equitable and reasonable” manner while preventing pollution of watercourses that may cause “significant harm” to the watercourse within another State. To use the Convention effectively, negotiators will play a significant role in actualizing its benefits, as laid out in this chapter. To realize the full potential of the Convention, States must write or rewrite their national water laws to promote and enhance international water agreements. In doing so, States will develop a greater understanding of the beneficial trade-offs between sovereign rights and multistate water governance.
