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Model Provisions on Transboundary Groundwaters

Published:
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The Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) was adopted in 1992 and entered into force in 1996. It brings together almost all countries sharing transboundary waters in the pan-European region, and is expected to achieve broader participation with its global opening to all United Nations Member States.

The Water Convention serves as a mechanism to strengthen international cooperation and national measures for the ecologically sound management and protection of transboundary surface waters and groundwaters. Furthermore, it provides an intergovernmental platform for the day-to-day development and advancement of transboundary cooperation.

The present Model Provisions on Transboundary Groundwaters—and their commentary—provide specific non-binding guidance for the implementation of the Convention with regard to groundwater and facilitating the application of the principles of the Convention to transboundary groundwaters. They aim to improve transboundary water cooperation with regard to groundwater and strengthen integrated management of transboundary surface waters and groundwaters.

ECE/MP.WAT/40
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