CAN BASIN ORGANIZATIONS PLAY AN EFFECTIVE ROLE IN PREVENTING OR MITIGATING WATER-RELATED CONFLICTS IN A BASIN?
Abstract
Water scarcity and competing demands often lead to conflicts among riparian states, particularly in transboundary river basins. This essay explores the role of River Basin Organizations (RBOs) in preventing and mitigating such conflicts through three key functions: the development and implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) plans, facilitation of dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders, and the provision of structured dispute-resolution mechanisms. Drawing on case studies such as the Mekong River Commission, the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, and the Nile Basin Initiative, the analysis illustrates how institutional frameworks and cooperative strategies contribute to sustainable and equitable water governance.
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