From Potential Conflict to Cooperation Potential: Water for Peace – Tools for Resolution and Prevention of Conflicts

3rd World Water Forum
 

 Session Code: PEAC-03
 
March 20, Shiga, afternoon session
 

 
Convener:  Green Cross International and UNESCO
 
Moderator: James L. Creighton
 
Rapporteur: Keith W. Hipel
 
Contact e-mail:  kwhipel@uwaterloo.ca
 

Session Report

Download the word document

1. Key Issues
    
   * Ethical practice for conflict resolution
   
   * Need a range of tools for resolution and prevention of conflicts
   
   * Is there a human right to water?
   
   * There are many shared transboundary aquifers located throughout the world.  For example, there are about 85 transboundary aquifers in Europe.
   
   * Resolve disputes using alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures
   
   * Trained water managers are needed for cooperatively resolving water disputes in a friendly manner when they arise but preventing conflict whenever possible.
   
   * Cooperative water management with more effective public and civil society participation is needed in the all transboundary river basins shared.
   
   
   
    
   



2. Actions
    
   * Best practice for conflict resolution adheres to transparency, inclusiveness, empowerment, partnerships and focus at the local level.
   
   * Exchange data, share information, emphasize benefit-sharing and practice prevention.
   
   * Yes, people do have a right to have access to freshwater, as is implied in a range of conventions.
   
   * About 400 treaties make passing reference to groundwater aquifers.  Aquifers should be shared to prevent conflict.
   
   * Alternative dispute resolution includes general approaches and specific techniques used in negotiation, mediation and consensus building.
   
   * Training in conflict resolution is increasing for the case of water professionals (examples include the University of Zimbabwe and the Israel Center for Negotiation and Mediation).
   
   * Discussions on cooperative water management between riparians are now taking place in many transboundary river basins.
   
    
    
    
   



3. Commitments
    
   * Involve all stakeholders when following best practices
   
   * Practice more prevention of conflicts
   
   * Although almost no nation explicitly recognizes a right to water, at least 60 nations include a right to a clean, safe and healthful environment in their national constitutions.  South Africa recognizes a right to water.
   
   * Develop wise joint stewardships of shared aquifers throughout the world
   
   * Alternative dispute resolution methods foster communication among disputants, which in turn forms a basis for building relationships and trust.  The adoption of ADR techniques is increasing throughout the world.  Take advantage of joint gains and do not leave them on the table.
   
   * There are about 150 catchment areas in Southern Africa and about 100 people need to be trained per year in conflict prevention and resolution.
   
   * Communication within and among nations is required in transboundary river basins.
    
   
   
   



4. Recommendations
    
   * Identify and endorse best ethical practice for conflict resolution using regional networks (John Selborne)
   
   * Practice prevention of conflict and when needed use appropriate dispute resolution tools (Salman Salman)
   
   * Both national and international legal agreements should ensure people’s right and access to clean water (Joseph Dellapenna)
   
   * The “UN Convention on the Non-Navigational Uses of International Water Courses” must be strengthened for the case of groundwater management, including precise codification.  An “International Shared Water Facility” should have trust funds for specific basins (Shammy Puri)
   
   * Education programs in conflict resolution are required for water professionals to maximize the probability of moving from potential conflict to cooperation potential (Yona Shamir and Pieter van der Zaag)
   
   * More public participation should be integrated into water management in transboundary river basins (Ousséni Diallo)