April 21, 2008

From 13 April to 18 April 2008, UNSGAB promoted Transboundary Water Management and the UN Convention on Non Navigational Uses of International Water Courses during the 118th Inter Parliamentary Union Assembly in Cape Town South Africa.

Under chapter 6 of the Hashimoto Action Plan on "Integrated Water Resources Management", the UN Secretary General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation (UNSGAB) has committed itself to advocate transboundary water management and to promote the UN Convention on Non Navigational Uses of International Water Courses.

The UN Convention on the Law of Non Navigational Uses of International Water Courses establishes a framework for cooperation among water course states on the use, management, and protection of international watercourses for present and future generations. The UN Convention was adopted in 1997 with an overwhelming majority but to date the UN Convention counts only 16 contracting states, whereas 35 contracting states are needed to let the UN Convention become effective.

UNSGAB considered that the 118th Inter Parliamentarian Union Assembly (IPU) in Cape Town would be an appropriate platform where the issue of Transboundary water and the UN Convention could be effectively promoted by UNSGAB. The main topic of the 118th IPU Assembly was "Pushing Back the Frontiers of Poverty". Over 1,200 delegates - including some 600 legislators and a record 50 Speakers of parliament from national parliaments around the world - and several special guests attended this event.

The IPU welcomed the idea and mission of UNSGAB and kindly invited the Chair of UNSGAB to address the 118th General Assembly with a key note speech and also offered UNSGAB to hold a special information meeting (side event) on Transboundary Water and the UN Convention. UNSGAB was also given the opportunity to set up an information stand where additional information on Transboundary Water Management and the International Year of Sanitation could be communicated to the delegates.

Photo: UNSGAB Presentation Booth at 118th IPU Assembly

In organizing this, UNSGAB linked up with other partners who have a track record in advocating Transboundary Water Management and are a strong supporter of the ratification of the UN Convention. UNSGAB cooperated closely with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), German Organization for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and with the Government of Italy. GTZ and the Government of Italy kindly sponsored this event.

At this IPU event UNSGAB was represented by the Chair, Vice Chair Ms Uschi Eid and board member Mr Giacomelli. The Chair delivered a speech on Tuesday morning 15 April. The Vice Chair of UNSGAB hosted the information meeting on Tuesday afternoon and the UNSGAB information stand and lobbying activities were guided by Mr Giacomelli during the rest of the week.

UNSGAB Chair's Speech at the 118th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union

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