Water quality cooperation for building peace from source-to-sea
As part of the triple planetary crisis, pollution and other water quality impairments have a widespread impact on global freshwater and downstream marine systems. An estimated 80% of transboundary rivers are severely affected by water quality degradation and several significantly contribute contaminants to seas. This degradation not only affects basin states, but is often acutely felt locally, impacting the health and livelihoods of basin communities. Given the potential ramifications to ecosystems and communities, states are pressured to respond and navigate these water quality challenges. Transboundary cooperation provides an opportunity to peacefully address water quality concerns including through basin agreements, institutions, and participation in international conventions. However, existing and emerging water quality impacts can challenge these dynamics. Additionally, many transboundary basins still lack cooperative mechanisms, and ineffective action can hamper security in riparian communities. This session will explore how transboundary water quality cooperation can be developed and maintained to peacefully address concerns from source-to-sea. Through a combination of short inputs and panel discussions from a range of stakeholders, the proposed session will explore the state of transboundary water quality cooperation, its impacts, and best practices that build resilient solutions to water quality and related security dynamics at international and local scales.
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