International Water Law in the La Plata Basin: Regional Application of Principles and Procedural Rules of General International Water Law

Abstract

The importance of the La Plata Basin emanates from the central political and economic position it occupies in South America, as well as from its ecosystems wealth. As the economies of its riparian States developed around the Basin, the use of its waters brought about regional conflicts, on one hand, and new forms of cooperation, on the other. The International Water Law began to develop in the region especially from the late 60s, when the Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee (CIC) was established. The La Plata Basin Treaty (1969) and the Asunci{ó}n Declaration (1971) recognized the international principles of cooperation, equitable and reasonable utilization, no significant harm, and sustainable development. However, along the years the Basin States implemented projects in disregard for the co-riparian interests. Recently, with the CIC's revitalization, the basin unity principle is emerging again. For instance, the Framework Agreement for the Sustainable Water Resources Management in the La Plata Basin and the Project for the Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development of the Guarani Aquifer System reflect a tendency towards integrated management, public participation, and sustainable use. Depending on the results of the ongoing projects, the Basin could become a model to be applied to other transboundary basins.; Reprinted by permission of Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft