What are the main principles of international water law?

International water law is a set of rules that govern the use of water in sovereign countries, states, and territories. These rules are important for countries and states to maintain their water resources, ensure access to clean water, and prevent water pollution. In North Carolina, the main principles of international water law are guided by three main bodies: the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses (UN Watercourses Convention), the Helsinki Rules on the Uses of the Waters of International Rivers, and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Under the UN Watercourses Convention, states are responsible for ensuring that they do not cause significant harm to other states when using international watercourses. As such, states must take all necessary measures to protect and prevent pollution of international watercourses. The Helsinki Rules state that states must ensure that international watercourses are used for the “equitable and reasonable utilization” of their waters. This means that a state must consider the effects of their actions on other states when utilizing water. Lastly, the UNCLOS states that all states must “refrain from environmental degradation of the marine environment” and take necessary measures to protect the environment. As such, states must be careful to ensure that water pollution does not occur as a result of their activities or actions. Overall, these main principles of international water law are important for North Carolina, and all states, as they help ensure that water resources are managed responsibly and sustainably, with consideration for the interests of other countries.

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