Cooperation in the Law of Transboundary Water Resources Cambridge Studies in International and Comparative Law Series

Climate change, population growth and the increasing demand for water are all capable of leading to disputes over transboundary water systems. Dealing with these challenges will require the enhancing of adaptive capacity, the improving of the quality of water-resources management and a reduction in the risk of conflict between riparian states. Such changes can only be brought about through significant international cooperation. Christina Leb's analysis of the duty to cooperate and the related rights and obligations highlights the interlinkages between this duty and the principles of equitable and reasonable utilisation and the prevention of transboundary harm. In doing so, she considers the law applicable to both international watercourses and transboundary aquifers, and explores the complementarities and interaction between the rules of international water law and the related obligations of climate change and human rights law.

Introduction; Part I. Acknowledging Interdependence: 1. Cooperation between sovereign states; 2. Development of international water law; Part II. A General Duty to Cooperate: What Does it Mean?: 3. The duty to cooperate and concurrence of principles; 4. Informing cooperation; 5. Adoption of joint measures; Part III. Dealing with Evolving Challenges: 6. International protection of vital human water needs; 7. Emerging international cooperation on global water challenges; 8. Conclusion; Annex: consideration of cooperation in international treaties.

Christina Leb is an associate member of the Platform for International Water Law at the University of Geneva and a consultant for the World Bank focusing on transboundary water resources management and cooperation.