Development of institutional frameworks for the management of transboundary water resources

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative analysis of institutions (treaties, agreements) for the management of transboundary water resources. The nine river basins investigated are divided according to their level of cooperation and commitment to three categories the highly committed (Colorado, Niger, Rio Grande and Senegal) the least cooperative (Ganges-Brahmaputra and Indus); and the middle level of cooperation (Danube, Elbe and Mekong). Very few of the investigated rivers corresponded to the ideal model of institutions for the management of transborder water resources, namely a basin-wide multipurpose institution and almost all showed that competition among various users and water uses was growing rapidly.