Conflict and co‐operation in international freshwater management: A global review

Abstract

In the past decades much has been written about international freshwater management. Many writers have predicted that the wars in the 21st century will be over water. More recently, the idea that water can act as a catalyst for peace has gained currency. This article reviews developments in international freshwater management, based on 35 case studies. Many international agreements have been concluded and many river basin commissions have been established, despite conflicts of interests. The most common and most effective strategy to reach agreement has been the desire to develop or maintain good relations. Moreover, the cases show that international freshwater management should involve local governments, NGOs and individual water users if it is to be effective. The article concludes that the old water management paradigm ‐ national water resources development ‐ is gradually being replaced by a new paradigm: integrated river basin management across all levels, national, international and subnational.

Keywords:

• River basin management
• international agreements
• conflict
• co‐operation
• institutions
• integration
• water resources