An international conference on sustainable development for lasting peace was held from 6-7 May 2003 in Athens, Greece under the auspices of the Greek government.

Attended by approximately 150 participants representing governments, the private sector and civil society, delegates conducted a thematic review of opportunities and constraints related to cross-border management of river basins, lake basins, and shared aquifers. The Athens Declaration endorsed a new form of Diplomacy for Environment and Sustainable Development to enhance cooperation on water at all levels of foreign and domestic policy, among governments, international agencies, private industries, and the full array of nongovernmental organizations. Discussions also included the creation of two new potential cooperative water programmes – the Southeastern Europe Transboundary River Basin and Lake Basin Management Programme, and the Mediterranean Shared Aquifers Management Programme. More information can be found at: http://www.gwpmed.org/athens_may_2003/concept_note_athens_may2003.pdf