What is the International Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses (UNWC)?

The International Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses (UNWC) is an international treaty that governs the use of water resources in different countries. The convention was opened for signature in Washington, D.C. in May 1997 and entered into force in August 2014. The UNWC contains several rules aimed at promoting the equitable and reasonable utilization of international water resources and protecting their shared environment. It states that in the management of shared watercourses, member states should develop plans and coordinate their activities to ensure the most beneficial use of the watercourse. UNWC also sets out provisions for the prevention of harm caused by activities within a shared watercourse and for the protection of the environment. For example, it requires member states to take precautions to reduce the risk of pollution and to take measures to prevent their activities from having a significant adverse effect on the environment. The UNWC also provides a means for settling disputes between countries that share a watercourse. It calls for the establishment of a Joint Commission to help states find a common solution to disputes involving shared watercourses that cannot be resolved through negotiations. In short, the UNWC is an important international treaty for the management and protection of shared water resources. It helps ensure that all countries are able to make use of these resources in a sustainable and equitable way.

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What is the International Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses (UNWC)?

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