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S H A R I N G W A T E R : D E F I N I N G A C O M M O N I N T E R E S T / 3 2 1Zambezi. Of these basins, four (the Aral, the Jordan, the Nile and theTigris-Euphrates) have been subject to recent dispute and arecurrently in various stages of negotiations.Of possibly greater importance than this empirical analysisof the current and historical situation, is the potential for usingthese indicators to identify options for strategic institutionalstrengthening and diplomatic negotiations as basins become‘internationalized’ or existing transboundary basins change inpolitical or physical status. This ideal will require the adoption ofsuitable means of monitoring the indicators be so that changes canbe identified at an early stage, therefore providing sufficient time toimplement preventative measures. Information that is alreadyavailable and that could provide a suitable handle on the indicatorsare listings of tenders for future water infrastructure projects (theseare proposals for which funding is already available but which willusually have a lead time of three to five years), and details ofincreasingly active nationalist movements or unrepresented peoples.It is likely that other measurements will be identified with increasingexperience.ConclusionsAs this chapter shows, despite the potential for dispute ininternational basins, the record of cooperation historicallyoverwhelms the record of acute conflict over transboundary waterresources. Indeed, there are a great many precedents, tools andinstruments for cooperation, and a number of common mechanismshave been implemented within countries in order to protect theneeds of all users, be they people, animals or ecosystems.But the challenges have become increasingly important aspopulation growth and development drive demand for the limitedresource higher and higher. Intersectoral competition for water isgrowing, and water quality is more and more of an issue betweenupstream and downstream users as industrial, agricultural anddomestic pollution takes its toll. Although progress has been made,the issue of sharing water has never been more timely, and there isan increasing urgency to develop sustainable and equitable meansof sharing the resource.Progress since Rio at a glanceAgreed actionProgress since RioPromote peaceful cooperation and develop synergies between different uses of water at all levelsManage river basins in a sustainable manner or find other appropriate approachesSharing information for better sharing of resourcesUnsatisfactory Moderate SatisfactoryReferencesAlmassy, E. and Buzas, Z. 1999. ‘Inventory of Transboundary Ground Waters’. UNECETask Force on Monitoring and Assessment, under the Convention on theProtection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes. Vol.1. Lelystad, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.Arnold G. and Uil, H. 2001. ‘International Initiatives on Monitoring and Assessment ofTransboundary Groundwaters (the Implementation of the ECE GroundwaterGuidelines in a Broader Perspective)’. Paper presented at the InternationalConference on Hydrological Challenges in Transboundary Water ResourcesManagement, September 2001. International Hydrological Programme/UnitedNations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization and OperationalHydrological Programme. Koblenz, Germany, Bundesanstalt fur Gewasserkunde(Federal Institute of Hydrography).Dublin Statement. 1992. Official outcome of the International Conference on Water andthe Environment: Development Issues for the 21st Century, 26–31 January 1992,Dublin. Geneva, World Meteorological Organization.Falkenmark, M. 1989. ‘The Massive Water Scarcity Now Threatening Africa—Why isn’t itBeing Addressed?’ Ambio, Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 112–18.Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, andFederal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development. 2001. MinisterialDeclaration, Bonn Keys, and Bonn Recommendation for Action. Official outcomes ofthe International Conference on Freshwater, 3–7 December 2001, Bonn.Gleick, P. 1993. ‘Water and Conflict: Fresh Water Resources and International Security’.International Security, Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 79–112.IHP (International Hydrological Programme). 2001. Internationally Shared(Transboundary) Aquifer Resources Management. Non-serial Publications inHydrology. Paris, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.