Why TWL?

'Transboundary waters' refers to sources of freshwater that are shared among multiple user groups, with diverse values and different needs associated with water use. In this way, water crosses boundaries - be they those of economic sectors, legal jurisdictions, or political interests.
The Universities Partnership for Transboundary Waters FAQs
An estimated 263 transboundary river and lake basins worldwide cross one or more international border; covering nearly half the Earth’s surface area and supplying more than 60% of the freshwater used globally each year.

Roughly 40 per cent of the world's population live within transboundary basins that comprise two or more countries and over 90 per cent of all people live in nations that share basins (UN-Water). 

Transboundary water resources cross legal, political, economic and social boundaries. By their very nature these resources are often shared by many different stakeholders, often with multiple competing priorities. As competition over the world's increasingly scarce and degraded freshwater resources continues to rapidly increase, the need for us to have a clear understanding of the laws, policies and institutions which govern them is undeniable. Water is life and we must share it.

Greater understanding of one's own laws/policies - as well as others' - can contribute to strengthened cooperation and ideally more sustainable use of global transboundary water resources for all stakeholders, in particular local communities.

Driven by a deep passion for decision-makers, advocates and everyday people who rely on shared water resources for their daily health and livelihoods to better understand how effective water laws, policies and institutions can help positively shape equitable water management at all scales, TWL aims to provide clients with crucial insights into the specific issues which affect them.

Ultimately, TWL aims to foster greater understanding, diplomacy and transboundary cooperation over shared water resources.

Scroll down for a list of topics and areas covered by TWL.

Topics and geographic areas covered by TWL Global Consultancy

NOTE: that this is not an exhaustive list, but rather an indicative range of TWL's expertise and we welcome other matters/areas.

International Water Laws & Treaties

  • Global conventions
    • UN Watercourses Convention
    • UNECE Water Convention
  • Regional water treaties
    • SADC Revised Protocol 
  • Water-related MEAs
    • Convention on Biodiversity
    • UNFCCC
  • Regional water policies
    • EU Water Framework Directive

Basin Agreements & Institutions

  • River basin agreements 
    • Mekong River
    • Limpopo River
    • Orange-Senqu River
    • Nile River
    • Danube River
    • Murray-Darling River
  • River basin institutions
    • Mekong River Commission
    • LIMCOM
    • ORASECOM
    • Danube River Commission
    • Murray-Darling Basin Authority​ 

Transboundary Water Governance & Policy

  • ​Hydropower development
    • Mekong River & 3S River tributaries
    • Salween River
    • Nile River
    • ​Amazon River
  • Links with national laws
    • Multi-scale compatibility
    • Implementation & enforcement
  • Dispute resolution analysis
    • International Court of Justice
    • Arbitration​
    • ​Negotiation & mediation

Mining Pollution & Water Security

  • Acid mine drainage (AMD)
  • Water pollution 
    • Private liability
    • State responsibility
    • Breach of statutory environmental regulations
  • Geographical contexts
    • Southern Africa
    • East & West Africa
    • Australia
    • North America
    • Central America
  • ​Water security
    • ​Drought impacts
    • Climate-change adaptation