Conflict resolution

Scarce water for human and ecosystem use can lead to intense political pressures, water stress, and even water scarcity. Competition for water resources can contribute to tensions worldwide between competing uses such as urban vs. agricultural and environmental protection vs. industry as well as different user groups like neighboring irrigators and nations. Presently, there are more than 260 watersheds and aquifers that cross the political boundaries of two or more countries. International basins cover about 45 percent of the Earth’s surface, sustain about 40 percent of the world’s population, and provide about 60 percent of global river flow. Water that crosses international boundaries can create tensions between nations that share the basin. Early coordination between riparian states can help mitigate these problems. Despite the complexity of water disputes, existing treaties have proven quite resilient over time. Over the past 50 years, nearly 160 treaties have been negotiated and signed