From agreements to action: Practical tools for strengthening transboundary water cooperation
As climate change, competing water demands, and geopolitical uncertainty place increasing pressure on shared rivers and aquifers, countries sharing water resources face a common challenge: how can transboundary water agreements remain effective under rapidly changing conditions?
- water
- irrigation
By Bunyod Holmatov and Ryan NehringJuly 22, 2026
Key takeaways
- Addressing small bottlenecks in managing transboundary water resources is key to realizing the broad goals elaborated in formal agreements.
- Rapid assessments help identify realistic solutions. A case in Central Asia found strong day-to-day cooperation but outdated rules, unclear responsibilities, and limited stakeholder engagement.
- Inclusive institutions make water governance more resilient. Multistakeholder platforms help build trust, improve decision-making, and support long-term cooperation.
As climate change, competing water demands, and geopolitical uncertainty place increasing pressure on shared rivers and aquifers, countries sharing water resources face a common challenge: how can transboundary water agreements remain effective under rapidly changing conditions? While legal frameworks provide the foundation for cooperation, management must also evolve alongside changing environmental conditions, emerging digital technologies, and the needs of the people they serve.
This challenge was at the heart of discussions during a United Nations Economic Commission for Europe event in Budapest June 22-23: the UNECE Global Workshop on Agreements and Other Arrangements for Transboundary Water Cooperation. Bringing together government representatives, river basin organizations, researchers, and development partners from 35 countries, the workshop focused on practical approaches to developing, revising, and strengthening agreements to respond to challenges such as climate change, groundwater governance, and pollution, while exploring emerging opportunities such as digital technologies in water management.
Effective transboundary management requires inclusive processes and targeted interventions to overcome stalemates. This was the focus of two presentations outlined here. The first, by Bunyod Holmatov (International Water Management Institute or IWMI), outlined a rapid assessment process (RAP) that helps countries identify quick-win solutions for enhancing cooperation. The second, by Ryan Nehring (IFPRI), explored how multistakeholder platforms (MSPs) can create more inclusive and resilient transboundary water governance.