The Security Policy Aspects of the International Rivers

Abstract

The 263 international river basins of the world are home to around 40% of the global population. Demographic explosion, urbanisation, economic expansion and climate change are likely to result in a 40% global water deficit by 2030. In this context the role of transboundary river basins is of paramount importance as much of that water deficit is likely to materialise in these areas. Consequently, in the global international security discourse the risks associated with the management of shared rivers emerge more and more intensely. The nature of transboundary conflicts however shows that such conflicts cannot be directly linked to any particular basin problem (e.g. drought). Rather, the main factor determining the intensity of cooperation is the level of institutionalisation of co-riparian relations. This study summarises the theoretical background of transboundary water cooperation and the findings of the most important relevant hydropolitical analyses.