The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has highlighted the need for more adaptive, inclusive, and collaborative approaches to managing the world’s shared freshwater ecosystems, stressing that stronger international cooperation is essential to address growing environmental and climate challenges.
Shared freshwater resources include nearly 313 transboundary river and lake basins, more than 400 shared aquifers, and almost 300 transboundary wetlands. These ecosystems face increasing pressure from climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, rapid population growth, and unsustainable economic development, making effective cross-border cooperation more important than ever.
According to IUCN, managing shared water resources requires more than agreements between governments. Effective governance also depends on the active participation of international organisations, civil society, the private sector, researchers, local communities, and Indigenous peoples. Inclusive decision-making can help protect ecosystems, safeguard human rights, support sustainable development, and promote regional peace and cooperation.
The issue was a central focus of the Global Workshop on Developing, Revising and Revitalising Agreements or Other Arrangements for Transboundary Water Cooperation, held in Budapest, Hungary, from 22 to 23 June 2026. The event was jointly convened by Hungary and Germany under the UNECE Water Convention with support from several international partners, including IUCN.
Participants explored whether existing international water agreements are evolving quickly enough to respond to the increasingly complex challenges affecting shared freshwater ecosystems. Discussions highlighted the need for more flexible and inclusive water governance frameworks, stronger institutional cooperation, and improved data sharing to support informed decision-making and long-term environmental protection.
IUCN also highlighted the role of its BRIDGE programme, which has supported several recent transboundary water governance initiatives, including the 2023 Ecuador–Peru Binational Commission Regulation and the 2023 Zimbabwe–Mozambique BuPuSa Commission. These initiatives demonstrate how cooperative governance can strengthen the protection and sustainable management of shared water resources.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting governments, local authorities, non-governmental organisations, Indigenous communities, and other stakeholders in building stronger water governance systems capable of addressing future environmental and social challenges.
As climate change and growing demand place increasing pressure on freshwater resources, IUCN emphasises that adaptive governance, inclusive participation, and international cooperation will be critical to ensuring the long-term protection of shared water ecosystems while promoting sustainable development, regional stability, and peaceful collaboration between neighbouring countries.
