The need for flexibility in freshwater treaty regimes

摘要

Shrinking freshwater supplies pose particular threats in international drainage basins, which serve some 40% of the global population and account for around 60% of the world's river flows. The use and management of these basins are increasingly governed by treaties between the riparian states. While the rules of international law, properly understood, are sufficiently flexible to permit adaptation to changing conditions such as development, population. Countries should take this fact are essentially rigid instruments to govern their shared freshwater resources, including joint management institutions.