TITLE:
Shared Management of Water Resources among Sovereign States in Latin America: The Case of the River Plate Basin
AUTHORS:
Olga Kelman Brocki Calhman, Monica da Hora
KEYWORDS:
Transboundary Rivers, Water Politics, Water Use Conflicts, Risk
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.7 No.8,
June
30,
2016
ABSTRACT: The present article sought to address the
issue of shared management of water resources among sovereign states in Latin
America, focusing on the hydrographic basin of the River Plate. The methodology
of the Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme for river basins proposed by
the United Nations was used to evaluate risks within current and future
scenarios. The results obtained allow the inference that the River Plate basin
is in a moderate-risk category. However, high and very high risk values were
observed for the pollution, dams and economic reliance indicators, which in the
future horizon could promote conflicts regarding water resource use. In conclusion,
states should establish their priorities and clear rules for monitoring, use
and surveillance of water. This process should be done in an integrated manner,
with due regard for international arrangements, and should be compatible with
the policies and management instruments of the countries involved.