The event took place at CERC on 1 April 2025 with the participation as speaker of representatives of the Federal German Ministry of Environment, and representatives of the UNFCCC, IUCN, GIZ, ICPR. The attendees included representatives of funding organizations, NGOs, and members of the University of Bonn.
During the welcoming remarks Ms Christina Schröer recalled World Water day and the importance of raising awareness of Transboundary Water Cooperation, topic of the event. She introduced the work and role of CERC and remarked the importance of the University of Bonn in the areas of sustainability, climate change and renewable energy, all interconnected with the utilization of transboundary waters, and highlighted the long tradition of the University regarding collaborations and partnering with relevant institutions.
Also as part of welcoming remarks Ms Maria A. Gwynn provided the general introduction to the topic of transboundary waters and remarked the importance of international water law and UN Water Conventions for that purpose. She gave examples of different regions of the world to showcase concrete benefits on how these legal frameworks foster transboundary water cooperation and more sustainable actions which improve relations among countries, especially with regard to the utilization of transboundary waters. Thanks were given to the support of CERC for the event.
Among the speakers’ presentations the topics covered were the following:
1. Speaker: Heide Jekel, Head of Division. Cooperation in International River Basins, Freshwater Management Conventions, International Freshwater Protection Law. German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection.
Title of presentation: Why transboundary water cooperation? Experience in Germany and beyond
The speaker mentioned Germany’s work on transboundary waters (basins, rivers) and clarified the different agreements and institutional arrangements for sustainable management of the shared water resources. She explained parts of the historical process, as well as current work with bilateral and multilateral commissions. The speaker mentioned that for a successful transboundary cooperation countries need to take into account different elements such as: a bilateral or multilateral agreement or framework; fixed working structure; regular meetings; involvement of political and technical level; that having a permanent secretariat would be an asset; and sufficient financial resources for the secretariat and joint projects. Furthermore, the speaker highlighted other considerations of importance for example that cooperation needs time, that there are differences between riparian countries, languages, and the need to make compromises.
As for the benefits of transboundary cooperation the speaker called attention to the comparability of methods and analyses, mutual understanding, joined forces (financial and expertise) to protect water resources, and trust building.
2. Speaker: Nikola Livrozet, International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR)
Title of presentation: Best Practices from the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR)
The speaker mentioned the area covered by the ICPR and summarized the work of the ICPR consisting of different lines of action, including water quality, ecology, flood risk, low water. She mentioned some of the disasters and extreme events that happened in the past and how the Commission responded to said events. She also commented on successful stories such as the recovery of the Atlantic salmon in the river Rhine as a consequence of long actions of work with water quality in the river. She concluded by summarizing the programme Rhine 2040 which is currently undergoing which covers topics of water quality, environmental protection, floods, alerts, and actions for climate change impacts.
3. Speaker: Esteban Boj, Project Manager. Head of Irrigated Agriculture, Nile Delta Water Management Programme, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammen Arbeit (GIZ)
Title of presentation: Cooperation for the monitoring of transboundary climate change impacts in Central Asia´s cryosphere
The speaker reminded the World Water Day and that the year 2025 was dedicated to Glaciers preservation and in that sense, his talk focused on the importance of mountains, snow, glaciers and permanent frost for the water cycles. He mentioned about the effects of climate change, increasing the temperature and causing melting but also the shifting of cycles that affect productions and the economy by affecting farming. He described a particular project of the GIZ in Central Asia and the technology being used for increasing modelling used for forecasts and predictions and how its application will be of benefit for the civil society, especially those in the farming sector which depend on these waters. The speaker stressed on the importance of international collaboration, training and capacity building, and the role of partners for making successful and long-lasting projects supporting transboundary water cooperation.
4. Speaker: Massamba Thioye, Director Global Innovation Hub, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Title of presentation: Innovation in Projects for Mitigation and Adaptation in a Changing Climate
The speaker gave remarks on the main challenges for progressing with projects but also the gap between exponential and incremental actions that needed to be covered by innovation. He mentioned that a shift in how we think, extending from what is possible to really achieving actions by envisioning the world that we want to live in; and remarked that such daring projects that needs to be supported. Changing the needs and demands and the way we use nature to satisfy those demands is crucial to achieving sustainable development.
The event finished with the concluding remarks given by Diego Jara, Legal Officer, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) which gave the attendees the main takeaway points of the event:
- We have the example of a transboundary water with the river Rhine, reflecting periods of conflict, but also of peace, cooperation and hope.
- Transboundary water cooperation goes beyond management, it also considers the best technologies and sharing good practices among countries.
- The importance of international water law and the legal tools such as the Water Conventions which should not only be seen in the abstract but also countries should be aware of concrete benefits in many regions of the world.
- UN Water Convention offers a good platform for transboundary water cooperation.
- Joint work and programmes and continuing with cooperative actions are important for building trust among different countries sharing an international watercourse.
- Data and information exchange, technology and innovation are also important tools for transboundary water cooperation.
- Successful transboundary cooperation relies on political will, technical cooperation, financial support and trust.
Report by Maria A. Gwynn