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Environment

Our waters - joining hands across borders: first assessment of transboundary rivers, lakes and groundwaters

Assessing transboundary waters in the UNECE region

Authors:
Publisher: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe , 2007

Full text of document

This report examines issues relating to transboundary waters in the UNECE region, South-Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia. It discusses pressures from both natural and man made sources and
examines current measures to monitor and improve the status of both transboundary surface and groundwaters. 

Problems discussed include:

  • risks of upstream downstream conflicts attached to water sharing among riparian countries
  • effects of climate change on the water resources
  • overuse of groundwater resulting for agricultural purposes and drinking water supply
  • contamination of drinking water supplies by pollution from point sources
  • pollution from diffuse sources (e.g. agriculture, urban areas)
  • the need for plans on integrated water resources management for almost all basins
  • developing assistance programmes in EECCA and SEE countries .
The assessment is designed for decision-makers and aims to provide guidance for donor agencies and other relevant institutions to improve the status of transboundary waters and agree on joint measures.