Worldwide Emerging Environmental Issues Affecting the U.S. Military, July-August 2008 Report
Abstract
Falling water tables around the world increase the likelihood that abuse of international groundwater aquifers will cause conflicts. The International Law Commission adopted draft articles for the first international framework convention on transboundary groundwater aquifers. The articles cover issues related to utilization of transboundary aquifers; activities that have or are likely to have an impact on aquifers; and measures for the protection, preservation, and management of transboundary aquifers. The draft articles create a framework and set of principles for further negotiations to eventually create a binding convention. The articles are compatible with but independent from the UN Convention on the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses (UN Watercourses Convention), and hence, not dependent upon its ratification. The UN Watercourses Convention was adopted in 1997 (with only China, Turkey, and Burundi voting against) and has 16 of the 35 required ratifications to go into force. At the 2008 World Water Week held in Stockholm, the WWF called upon states to support the Convention's entry into force as a way to prevent future possible conflicts due to competition over water resources.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA539034