The recording of the Webinar on "Cooperating Over Shared Freshwater Resources Using International Law," which was held on 16th September 2024, is now available at https://youtu.be/g24MtBWXTTs.

On 16th September 2024 (9am NYC | 3pm Paris | 9pm Beijing), the International Association for Water Law will host a webinar featuring presentations and discussion related to the forthcoming book “Cooperating Over Shared Freshwater Resources Using International Law.” The book, which is edited by Professor Gabriel Eckstein of Texas A&M University, assesses international law for shared freshwater resources—both surface and subsurface waters—explores the regime from different normative, historical, and geopolitical perspectives, and considers its achievements, deficiencies, and potential improvements. The webinar will feature chapters authors and topics appearing in the book.  The webinar is co-hosted with the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, and in partnership with Texas A&M University School of Law, Florida International University Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs, and World Scientific Publishing.  To attend the webinar, please register at: https://bit.ly/3zM4S6k

On 15 November, 2023, AIDA member Dr Salman M.A. Salman received from the Legal Vice Presidency of the World Bank the Alumni Award 2023 in recognition of the contribution he made while working at the Bank and after retirement. One major area of attention for him has been, and is, to ensure that work in the field of international water law tallies fully with the established and evolving principles of international law, and with international practice. For that purpose, he has devoted ample efforts to research and training. Dr Salman is the author of numerous publications on topics relevant to international and national water law, among which it is worth mentioning his book on the World Bank Policy for Projects on International Waterways, published in 2009 (https://elibrary.worldbank.org/doi/pdf/10.1596/978-0-8213-7953-0). Dr Salman has received seven awards from the International Water Resources Association (IWRA), including the Honorary Member Award and the Crystal Drop Award. Congratulations, Dr Salman!

Organized by AIDA in collaboration with UN-Water, this webinar aims to contribute to the UN-Water World Water Day 2024 campaign Water for Peace by addressing how water law, at the domestic and international levels, has been and can continue to be used to facilitate water as a means for achieving peace, and contribute to good water cooperation and governance. Lawyers and hydrologists will provide an interdisciplinary perspective and engage on this important topic of promoting and achieving peace through water. The webinar will take place at 10am-11:30am New York / 3pm-4:30pm Paris / 11 pm-12:30am Tokyo. The webinar is featured on the UN Water website (https://www.unwater.org/news/webinar-role-water-law-fostering-water-peace To register, go to https://bit.ly/4bwyqmS.

In August 2023, the Golden Gate University Environmental Law Journal published an article titled Fisheries and Fishing under International Water Law: A Dialogue Between Professor Gabriel Eckstein and Professor Paul Stanton Kibel. This article developed from an April 2023 webinar (organized by Golden Gate University School of Law) on International Law Aspects of Fisheries and Hydropower in Europe. Gabriel Eckstein currently serves as Chairman of the AIDA Executive Council and Paul Stanton Kibel currently serves as Projects Chair on the AIDA Executive Council.

The management of water resources faces environmental, climatic, political and economic challenges. In this changing environment, innovative policies should be designed to foster collaboration between states, civil society and the private sector. To this end, practitioners and decision-makers need to develop new analytical skills. The objective of the “Water Governance: Framework and Negotiations” Summer School programme is to provide skills and knowledge based on the latest scientific research applicable in professional contexts. Participants will learn how to use water governance tools to address complex political situations, be resilient when a crisis strikes, and innovate in the face of risk and uncertainty.

This programme has been designed as a blended training programme and is composed of a MOOC in Water Resources Management and Policy, a Module1, and four face-to-face interactive modules that will be delivered at the University of Geneva, as follows:

Module 2: Hydropolitics

Module 3: International Water Law at the Intersection of Different Fields of International Law

Module 4: Conflict Management Processes

Module 5: Data, Water and Cooperation

Registration fees for the complete programme amount to 3500 CHF. However, single modules can be taken individually, each module costing 1250 CHF. The deadline for registration is 1 May, 2024. For further information, go to https://www.unige.ch/formcont/en/courses/caswatergovernance

The governance and protection of freshwater is one of the greatest challenges of this century. Growing population, urbanization, environmental degradation, the effects of climate change and competing water demands by states sharing transboundary water resources will continue to increase the risk of conflicts around the use and sharing of water resources .

To face this challenge, international agreements are to be negotiated and implemented, this meaning that the training of qualified professionals is needed, particularly in less developed countries.

Organized by the Geneva Water Hub, University of Geneva, this online course will be structured into 5 modules, as follows:

Module 1 – Sources and concepts of international water law

Module 2 – Evolution of international water law

Module 3 – Transboundary water resources management and protection principles (Part 1)

Module 4 – Transboundary water resources management and protection principles (Part 2)

Module 5 – Water in international economic law.

At the end of the course, participants will be invited to work on a case study.

For information and registration, go to https://www.unige.ch/formcont/cours/droit-eau?dl=pdf (the deadline for registration is 1 September, 2024)

On occasion of the World Water Day and the event to launch the Annual UN WWDR on Water for Peace organised by UNESCO at Paris on 22 March, 2024, AIDA would like to organise a get-together for members, including prospective members.

If any of you are attending the event or are in the city, we would like to set up a meeting for everyone who wishes to exchange ideas and meet other members. We can hold discussions on World Water Day, get to know each other, or simply enjoy some well deserved croissants!

You can express your interest in meeting by contacting Laure-Elise Mayard by email at laure-Elise.mayard45@orange.fr, or on Linkedin.