Successful Transboundary River Basin and Estuary Cooperation: Benchmarks for the Ural River Basin?

Abstract

Russia’s new Water Code means its water resources remain under federal jurisdiction. However, this shouldn’t rule out transboundary water cooperation. After acknowledging the current situation regarding water resources management in Russia, this paper presents three instances of transboundary cooperation, two case studies concerning nations within the Danube basin: the Sava and Tisza sub-basins, and a third concerning the Scheldt Estuary between the Netherlands and Belgium. Some of the challenges and obstacles encountered in ensuring successful transboundary basin cooperation are also presented. The paper concludes by summarizing domestic priorities concerning integrated water management in Russia, in the context of its Volga river and the new Water Code, as agreed by representatives of Russia’s State Duma and envoys of leading international organizations in February 2007. It is hoped this political momentum will provide a foundation for advancing the more effective management of the Ural river basin.