Green Cross has long been involved in transboundary water issues and an active participant in the World Water Forum since the Forum's inception. At the 2nd World Water Forum in The Hague in March 2000, GC introduced the "International Transboundary watercourses and National Sovereignty" report that recommended the establishment of the Convention on the law of the non-navigational uses of international watercourses (also known as the UN Water Convention). More importantly, the report provided a framework for an integrated, sustainable, cooperative and participative use of transboundary watercourses as outlined in the Green Cross Right to Water Campaign. The aim of the Right to Water campaign is to promote the ratification of the UN Water Convention by countries around the world with the objective of gathering the required number of signatories for the convention to enter into force.
The United Nations Convention on the law of the non-navigational uses of international watercourses requires that states utilize international watercourses in an equitable and reasonable manner, consistent with their protection. The goals of optimal and sustainable use should be considered while giving special regard to vital human needs and the interests of all watercourse states. It is a framework Convention, which means that it adds to additional bilateral or existing treaties, and would provide a common denominator for future water agreements, codifying and clarifying minimum substantive and procedural standards of transboundary water cooperation.
The entry into force of the UN Convention will bring countries together in initiatives to promote river basin conservation and management, to provide for the equitable and sustainable use of freshwater, to expand access to drinking water and adequate sanitation and enhance living conditions of communities around the world, and to maintain international security through the avoidance and mitigation of interstate water disputes.
To learn more about the Convention, click here .
Right to Water Publication
Green Cross International's Vice-President, Bertrand Charrier, contributed to the World Water Council publication "The Right to Water, from Concept to Implementation,"that aims to re-examine the questions that surround the issue, clarify the content of the right to water and, crucially, move forward with its implementation. This publication introduces the challenges that the campaign faces in terms of defining the right, and identifies the misconstrued political priorities and economic considerations which all impede its implementation. Green Cross national affiliates from Argentina, Bolivia, and Burkina Faso provided valuable case studies for the publication. Download publication (RightTo Water.pdf)
Preparation for the 5th World Water Forum
GCI has been promoting the UN Convention on the Law of Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses, adopted in 1997, with the objective of gathering the required number of state ratifications for the Convention to enter into force before the start of the 5th World Water Forum in March 2009. The Convention was adopted on 21 May 1997 by the General Assembly of the United Nations, but only very few countries have since ratified it. Building on the success of the 4th World Water Forum held in Mexico City three years ago, Istanbul will host the 5th World Water Forum from 15 to 22 March 2009. Known to be the most important event on water in the world, World Water Forum 2009 organizers expect an attendance of over 15,000 people from 150 countries to discuss the strategies and solutions regarding water in the world. Turkey is known for its rich history in water resources, culture and technology and strategic tri-partite cooperation between the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. In preparation for the World Water Forum, a presentation on the Istanbul Water Consensus will be held in Singapore from 3 to 4 July 2008 in Macedonia during the World Cities Summit to plan the themes and topics under discussion in the World Water Forum.
"The Right to Water: Implementation and Enforcement"
Green Cross International, in partnership with the World Water Council is in the process of launching a two-year study on the theme "The Right to Water: Implementation and Enforcement". The aim of the study is to expand the implementation of the human right to water by accelerating the enforcement of those legally-binding instruments that already exist on water issues within national legislation, and analysing the need for a Global Framework Convention on Water. An internationally binding document would provide everyone with effective judicial remedies for demanding fulfilment of the right to water, and require that governments prioritise water access in budgetary allocations.
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