Second World Water Forum and Ministerial Conference, the Hague, 17-22 March 2000 Session Report: Sovereignty Panel

Session Report

Sovereignty Panel

Organised by Green Cross International
Number of participants: 300
Session Date: 20 March 2000
Session Time: 13.45 16.00
Rapporteur's Name: Fiona Curtin

Presentations

His Royal Highness the Prince of Orange welcomed the members of the Sovereignty Panel and the special guests of the session, speaking in his capacity both as Chairman of the World Water Forum and as a fellow honourary member of the World Commission on Water.

Mikhail Gorbachev, Chairman of the Sovereignty Panel, saluted The Netherlands for having set an example for the world in environmental protection and the launching of initiatives. Examples of important international initiatives such as the Earth Charter movement which Mr. Gorbachev is involved with were recalled, and the process of evaluating the role of national sovereignty in the management of international watercourses was introduced as the beginning of another important process.

Bertrand Charrier, Executive Director of Green Cross International, presented the messages and proposals of the report on National Sovereignty and International Watercourses prepared as part of the World Water Vision initiative. The need for international rules and an international water ethic were highlighted, as well as the essential requirement that they be complemented by empowered institutions to create avenues for the involvement of all stakeholders. We have a collective responsibility to act to protect the environment and try to avoid the development, or exacerbation, of conflicts on all levels including tensions between countries - which are caused by the exclusion of people in the decision-making process as populations and developmental stress mount.

Ismail Serageldin stressed the need to develop integrated watercourse management to overcome the fragmentation which plagues water policies. The participatory process and community action are critical elements which must be worked towards, and in order to encourage this Governments must subsidize access to water for the poorest people in society. Respect for sovereignty is key as all international relations are made possible via the voluntary release of sovereignty. But in shared watercourses, how do we arbitrate people across boundaries? How can we seize the opportunities for collaboration which transboundary watercourses represent?

Fidel Ramos referred to the World Water Commision as an advisory board on how to get moving for the 21st Century. We have a choice to find a way transform water resourses into the natural benefit they should be or to continue to face the disasters created by both too much and too little water. We have already moved forward with the definition of principles now we need urgent action in the realm of policy, research and investment to follow through these discussions. We must all also encourage our governments to act. We have a roadmap for the treatment of transboundary conflicts, but now we need the institutions to allow practical solutions to the problems which cause them. We have to start this process, to identify flashpoints, to listen and to suggest options. But outsiders should never impose solutions sustainable solutions must come from the stakeholders themselves. What we can do is facilitate the flow of ideas and information, and support the creation of the necessary institutional base. The cooperative and self-reliant efforts of people must be the driving force to solving these questions of water, poverty, food and security.

Ruud Lubbers reminded us that we have known since Rio that we need to find new avenues to shape a sustainable future. This is the philosophy behind the Earth Charter a Peoples' Document on how to shape the future and this is the responsibility of Governments around the world. Sovereignty will be an essential motivating force in the task of galvanizing people to meet the challenges of regional cooperation. National sovereignty is the concept that gives nations independence now we must capitalise on the sovereignty of each state to encourage their people to move from independence to interdependence. We must respect nature and prevent further deterioration of the environment, combining the sovereignty of each People, with the private sector and NGO support, to give us the instruments and the way to work together.

Z. Hasan, Secretary for Water for the Indian Government, shared the complex experience of the Indian Sub-Continent in international watercourses. He mentioned the achievement of the Indus Water Treaty which has been adhered to since 1960 and has facilitated food security, energy production and economic development for both countries. Cooperation with Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh were also described. The main points stressed by Mr. Hasan were firstly that, although we must have inter-state cooperation, in very large basins, such as the Ganges-Brahmaputra, the sub-basin approach is the most effective, and that the major obstacle to cooperation in most of the world's basins was lack of financial resources.

Discussion

Shared water should be seen as the locus of and opportunity for inter-state cooperation among experts, administrators and stakeholders.
We need empowered institutions and agreements that have enough "teeth", legally, financially and in terms of political will, to carry through these reccomendations.
We have a collective responsibility to ensure that all people have access to their entitlement to sufficient water.
The movement to make this into a reality must be driven by people, through community efforts, education and commitment.
The natural environment must be respected as a crucial provider and user of water.
Conflicts over water should be diffused by the encouragement of dialogue and accomodation, and prevented through implementation of early-warning systems and dispute resolution mechanisms.

Conclusion

Shared watercourses must be seen as an opportunity for cooperation, rather than a bone of contention. The time is right for international action on this issue, before it is too late. We must turn the question around and think of national sovereignty in the realm of international watercourses as a mechanism and vehicle for the regional cooperation needed not only for water but for the achievement of socio-economic development, environmental protection and peace for the benefit of all people.

Actions

Development of an International Water Ethic, a Charter for Water.
Creation of a Corps of Conflict Resolution Facilitators.
Establishment of an International Fund for Water.