Webinar: Why does the UN Watercourses Convention entry into force matter? July 14th, 15:00 – 16:30

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses (UNWC) will enter into force in August 2014, 17 years after its adoption by States within the UN General Assembly. 

Given that it has taken so long to enter into force it might be questioned whether it is still relevant to a modern changing world.  International law has developed significantly since the UNWC’s adoption. Are policy makers and lawyers therefore now better equipped to understand how this framework Convention might be interpreted and implemented?  Despite taking so long to enter into force, the UNWC has proven to be an influential instrument in the design and development of transboundary watercourse agreements. The UNWC’s influence is likely to continue and so it could be asked what added value will entry into force bring?

The webinar panel will discuss the history and authority of the UNWC, as well as why it is an important supplement to existing treaty arrangements in many part of the world. The added value that entry into force offers will be explored alongside the necessary steps that should be taken to maximize the benefits of entry into force.  Now that the UNECE Water Convention has been amended so that all UN member states can accede to it, the panel will also consider the complementarity between it and the UN Watercourses Convention.

This webinar is based on the themes discussed in the second International Water Resources Association (IWRA) policy brief ‘Why does the UN Watercourses Convention entry into force matter?’, which will be available at www.iwra.org. The IWRA policy briefs are written by leading experts in the field, and contain a synthesis of the critical facts and arguments needed to help the reader understand timely water policy issues.   They are designed to reach academics, dedicated practitioners, and policy professionals in a unique and informative way.  Each policy brief coincides with a special issue of the IWRA publication ‘Water International’.

The webinar is organzed by IWRA. It is moderated by Mr Tom Soo, IWRA’s Executive Director and Mr Scott McKenzie, University of British Columbia, Canada. The panelists are Dr. Alistair Rieu-Clarke, Reader in International Law, Centre for Water Law, Policy & Science, University of Dundee, Scotland, Mr. Remy Kinna, Humanitarian Programme Manager, Oxfam Australia, Ms. Flavia Loures, Independent Consultant and Dr. Owen McIntyre, Senior Lecturer, University College Cork,  

Participation is free and open to all. Registration link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/551017313229073410