International watercourse law differs from the national laws of most countries. It was of little consequence until the Industrial Revolution but as resources have become scarcer it has taken on a much greater political and economic significance. Ibrahim Kaya's study addresses the key issues.

Présentation de l'éditeur : "Despite Asia's large share of global water resources, and the importance of its water for sustaining one of the largest agrarian populations in the world, Asia's trans boundary water resource management regimes are poorly developed. There are only two working international regimes in South and South-east Asia: the Mekong and the Indus regimes. The remaining international watercourses in Asia are used by riparian countries in a self-interested manner, without much consideration for the interests of other states or for the environment. These national interests do not often represent the interests and needs of the local people. This book is divided into three Parts. Part I discusses the different contexts of law-making in the industrialized west and in agrarian societies in Asia, as well as the changing context of law-making following the emergence of the concept of sustainable development. Part II discusses the regime of international watercourses. Part III of the book presents two case studies in Asia: the Mekong and the Ganges. The main argument is that in the absence of public participation in decision-making and resource management, the basin states revert to using the watercourses according to the principles of the classical regime. The result, so far, has been unsustainable development, environmental degradation and growing poverty of local user communities."

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses plays a crucial role in protecting and managing international watercourses and other sources of fresh water. Boisson de Chazournes, Mbengue, Tignino, and Sangbana head a team of experts in this Commentary, examining the travaux préparatoires leading to the Convention and the practice that has developed since the adoption of the Convention in 1997. Tackling the rationale and objectives of the provisions, they offer crucial insights to the Convention's impact on the development of a universal regime for shared water resources. Examining cross-cutting topics such as the core water principles, the prevention and settlement of water disputes, the relationship between the Convention and other legal instruments, as well as the role of the ICJ and other judicial means to solve water disputes, this book is crucial to all those who seek a deep understanding of water law.

The presentation of the historical development and the scientific elaboration of the international law regulating non-navigational uses of international watercourses exemplifies the richness of this branch of international law. The role of general international law in this field of international relations, the acceptance thereof by the international community, its legal nature, functions, contents, and codification, are all examined. Finally, an outline of the institutions of international cooperation is given.

The presentation of the historical development and the scientific elaboration of the international law regulating non-navigational uses of international watercourses exemplifies the richness of this branch of international law. The role of general international law in this field of international relations, the acceptance thereof by the international community, its legal nature, functions, contents, and codification, are all examined. Finally, an outline of the institutions of international cooperation is given.