2020 Webinars
December 2020 - Webinar with DiploFoundation on « International Water Law and Transboundary Cooperation »
The Platform for International Water Law of the Geneva Water Hub (GWH) and DiploFoundation are pleased to invite you to the webinar on “International Water Law and Transboundary Cooperation”. This webinar is organised in the framework of the 2020 edition of the Distance Learning Course on “International Water Law & The Law of Transboundary Aquifers” delivered through the Continuing Education and e-Learning Centre of the University of Geneva
Approximately 280 transboundary watercourses serve almost 40 per cent of the world’s population. Of these, 180 feed 2 States, while the others feed 3 States and more. The continent of Africa has 63 transboundary watercourses, of which 11 affect 4 or more riparian States (including 11 States for the Nile and 9 for the Congo). In South America, the Amazon serves 7 States, and 6 Asian States share the Mekong. As for the Danube, its watershed is divided among no less than 17 States. Moreover, more than 500 aquifers are shared between two or more States. These few figures show how much surface and groundwater management require effective cooperation and harmonization of regulations among States, taking into account the rights and obligations of non-State actors.
The entry into force of the 1997 Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses in 2014 and the global opening of the 1992 Convention on the Protection and Uses of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) in 2016 to all UN members States mark a fundamental step in the evolution of universal principles and rules in international water law and transboundary cooperation. These instruments, together with agreements at the regional and basin levels, support the overall architecture of the management and protection of shared water resources.
The webinar will examine the role of international water law in enhancing transboundary cooperation. It will also emphasize how the Implementation Committee of the UNECE Water Convention is used as a mechanism to support cooperation between riparian States.
PROGRAMME
3 December 2020 : 14:00 - 15:00
Chair: Prof. Jovan Kurbalija – Director of DiploFoundation and Head of the Geneva Internet Platform
« International water law: an effective tool for transboundary cooperation? »
Dr Mara Tignino – Reader, Faculty of Law and Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva; Lead Legal Specialist, Platform for International Water Law, Geneva Water Hub
« The global opening of the Convention on the Protection and Uses of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes and its role in strengthening transboundary cooperation »
Dr Komlan Sangbana – Legal Officer, Secretariat of the Water Convention, UNECE
« The Implementation Committee of the Water Convention and the promotion of transboundary cooperation: some successful achievements »
Dr Dinara Ziganshina - Deputy Director, Scientific Information Center of Interstate Commission for Water Coordination in Central Asia; Member of the Implementation Committee of the Water Convention, UNECE
14:30-15:00 – Q & A
Link to the webinar : https://youtu.be/MYrom49j4mI
Webinar on « Water under Fire », Stockholm World Water Week, 28 August 2020
UNICEF launched the « Water under Fire » campaign on 22 March 2019 to draw global attention to three fundamental areas where change is urgently needed to secure access to safe and sustainable water supply and sanitation in fragile contexts. The first volume of the report series focuses on action across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus to strengthen WASH sector resilience in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. An update on the last developments of the Geneva List of Principles on the Protection of Water Infrastructure is also be made by the Platform for International Water Law.
Link to the webinar : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Hl6nvyNl3A
Webinar “Water, Sanitation, COVID-19, and Cooperation in the Middle East”, 30 April 2020
The Interest Group on Water of the Environmental Peacebuilding Association is pleased to invite you to the webinar on “Water, Sanitation, COVID-19, and Cooperation in the Middle East” which takes place on the 30th of April 2020.
The Geneva Water Hub is an institutional member of the Association and Mara Tignino is co-chair of the Interest Group on Water.
