Most of the world’s freshwater flows are shared by multiple countries. Conflicts between countries over their shared waters can and do arise. Climate change, population growth and economic development affect the distribution and availability of freshwater, and may be contributing to more frequent conflicts around the world in recent years.
Treaties and international river basin organizations (IRBOs), along with their mechanisms for joint decision-making and data sharing, help to prevent, mitigate and resolve such disputes. The benefits of these governance arrangements are widely recognized, even enshrined in international law through the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (or Water Convention).
It is no surprise then that Canada, the United States and many other countries have opted to institutionalize transboundary water cooperation through formal agreements and joint bodies like the International Joint Commission (IJC).
The IJC is increasingly portrayed as a model for the world
Countries rely on joint bodies like IRBOs to implement long-term treaty provisions. For its part, the Commission has been instrumental in implementing the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty between Canada and the United States for more than 100 years.
One of the IJC’s most important strengths is its ability to evolve over time. In the most-recent assessment of global progress on transboundary cooperation, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) called attention to the IJC’s ability to respond to contemporary challenges and manage future risks. The report highlighted the success of the IJC’s International Watersheds Initiative and Climate Change Guidance Framework—both of which have enabled IJC boards to study climate change trends and apply ecosystem approaches to their work.
The IJC’s strength in this area is particularly relevant considering recent developments under the Water Convention. From 2021 to 2024, the number of Parties to the convention grew by 20 percent, underscoring its growing global relevance. Moreover, at the 10th session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Water Convention, the Parties emphasized that transboundary water cooperation is essential for climate adaptation and mitigation, and helping reduce water conflicts.
The IJC engages in multilateral forums and with other joint bodies to advance progress at home and overseas
While Canada and the U.S. are not Parties to the Water Convention, the IJC has an important incentive to work with multilateral institutions and joint bodies with similar mandates. Globally, there are more than 120 IRBOs working in more than 110 transboundary watersheds, and the structures and functions of IRBOs vary.
This creates an important opportunity for IRBOs to learn from each other. That is why the IJC is working with the International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO)—a global leader in watershed management—to exchange good practices and lessons learned with other IRBOs.
In October 2024, at INBO’s 12th World General Assembly in France, IJC Canadian Co-Chair Dr. Pierre Baril delivered a keynote speech highlighting the importance of meaningful collaboration with Indigenous Peoples in transboundary contexts.
IJC Canadian Co-Chair Pierre Baril delivered a keynote @INBO_RIOB 12th World General Assembly. He spoke of IJC’s efforts to advance transboundary cooperation on shared waters across the Can.-US border, & to foster respectful & effective relationships with Indigenous Peoples. pic.twitter.com/DiTDA5R52N
— IJC - International Joint Commission (@IJCsharedwaters) October 9, 2024
Similarly, the IJC participated in the proceedings of this year’s World Water Week in Sweden, centered on the theme of cooperation for peace and security. The event also recognized the important role of IRBOs in uniting local stakeholders and fostering peace. World Water Week 2024 saw the launch of relevant initiatives like the Freshwater Diplomacy Database Explorer, which helps institutions like the IJC learn from experiences of water conflict and cooperation around the world.
Ultimately, the IJC’s global engagement aims to impart and discover new ways of doing business to resolve disputes over shared waters. Drought, flooding, contamination and other freshwater issues driving tension along our shared border are also increasingly driving tension along others.
