Response on World Development Movement’s ‘Stop Water Wars’ Campaign
February 2008
Thank you for your letter about the UN Convention on Watercourses. I am
replying as the Minister who leads on the issues raised.
We recognise that changing patterns of water availability, partly as a result
of climate change, will necessitate stronger regional co-operation over shared
water resources. Water use underpins economic growth, is essential to food
security and the livelihoods of the poor, and is a central component of any
strategy for sustainable development. For these reasons, water resource
management is one of the central three pillars of DFID’s forthcoming water
policy paper.
DFID has undertaken an analysis of the development benefits and practical
implications of UK accession to the Convention. We have also discussed this with
other bilateral counterparts and specialist water agencies, and sought views
from colleagues in other government departments to reach a joint conclusion.
We recognise that the existence of the Convention is helpful. It codifies
accepted international customary law on shared international watercourses and
provides a framework for the development, management and protection of
international waters, and to promote their optimal use for current and future
generations.
However although the Convention provides for equitable and efficient
allocation of water resources between states, translating this into action in
basin negotiations is a far from certain process. None of the large countries
that share waters with their neighbours (Brazil, China, Egypt and India) in low
and middle-income regions except South Africa have ratified or acceded to the
Convention. After 10 years only 16 countries have ratified or acceded. 35
countries are required for it to enter into force. The process of accession
would not be straightforward. On the balance of evidence, we consider that the
UK’s accession, at this stage, is likely to have little benefit.
Non-accession to the Convention does not in any way prevent the UK from
playing an active role in supporting transboundary water programmes. The
principles in the Convention have been widely used in agreements developed for
shared waters. That it has not entered into force appears not to have limited
its usefulness and application.
DFID is, for example, supporting programmes to improve management of
groundwater shared between Israel, Occupied Palestinian Territories and Jordan,
and in Africa through the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI). These programmes have
produced significant benefits based on practical approaches to water allocation
and benefit sharing. DFID’s engagement with the NBI focuses on the strategic
direction of the initiative, building the capacity of its institutions, and
helping to develop better progress and impact monitoring systems. The NBI is
achieving good progress in building trust and confidence between the ten basin
countries, contributing to regional stability and serving as a catalyst for
greater regional integration, both economic and political.
In neither case is accession to the Convention considered necessary for these
programmes to be successful.
I hope this is helpful.
Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development
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