In the resolution on the “Law of Transboundary Aquifers,” the UNGA also encourages UNESCO-IHP to continue its scientific and technical work on the assessment of the transboundary aquifers of the world, noting that this action is key to the peaceful sharing of groundwater resources, the strengthening of regional cooperation and the prevention of conflicts.
9 December 2011: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) at its 66th session adopted a resolution on the “Law of Transboundary Aquifers,” which calls on the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) International Hydrological Programme (IHP) to support countries in the sustainable and equitable management of their transboundary aquifers.
In the resolution, the UNGA also encourages UNESCO-IHP to continue its scientific and technical work on the assessment of the transboundary aquifers of the world, noting that this action is key to the peaceful sharing of groundwater resources, the strengthening of regional cooperation and the prevention of conflicts.
The UNGA recommends that the set of 19 draft articles already annexed to the first Resolution on the topic (R. 63/124 approved in 2008) be considered by member States when negotiating future agreements or arrangements for the management of their transboundary aquifers, where appropriate.
The UNGA resolution on the “Law of Transboundary Aquifers” will be discussed at the upcoming sixth World Water Forum, in March 2012, in Marseille, France, and the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), in June 2012, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. [UNCSD Press Release]