UC Santa Barbara

Abstract: International organizations constitute the basis to increase water co-operation, prevent or reduce the possibility of conflicts between countries, and, were they to occur, achieve co-operation to resolve them. The proliferation of water-related conflicts, especially involving transboundary watersheds, the need for stakeholder co-operation, and the necessity of creating alliances between water organizations call for the formation of an organization to tackle the resolution of such conflicts. River Basin Organizations (RBOs) have been created in the water field in recent years, which have addressed a variety of water-related problems. Yet, there is no holistic agency at present tasked with the comprehensive review and resolution of water conflicts worldwide. This paper presents a plan to create an International Water Comprehensive Organization (IWCO) under the auspices of the United Nations that would address water conflicts worldwide, which would integrate other existing organizations with jurisdiction in the realm of water management. Furthermore, this work describes the objectives and needs for creating the IWCO, defines its structure, and outlines its main tasks and authorities. The IWCO would integrate existing water-related organizations for solving hydropolitical issues, and would provide logistic support leading to scientific and legal advances in the water field.