Managing Transboundary Rivers to Avert Conflict and Facilitate Cooperation

Increasing populations, climate change, and industrialization are challenging states’ ability to meet domestic demands for scarce freshwater resources. In fact, world leaders and international organizations are warning of the increasing potential for interstate conflict and tension over transboundary rivers. Relying on qualitative and quantitative analysis, experts have analyzed means by which states can peacefully manage their transboundary basins. Despite substantial improvements in our understanding of some of the factors influencing riparian conflicts along with the forces leading to treaty formation, treaty design, and treaty effectiveness, several controversies remain, including the influence of the balance of power within the basin, the role of water shortages, and the effectiveness of treaties in managing transboundary water disputes. In addition, there are a number of understudied topics that require future research. These include the influence of climate change and increasing abstraction of groundwater resources on the management of transboundary water resources.