Institutionalization Trends in Fresh Water Governance

Abstract

Institutions of a varied nature and with diverse mandates are involved with the protection and management of fresh water. Indeed, there has been an ever-increasing institutionalization trend in fresh water governance since the nineteenth century. As some of the first international institutions to be established, basin organizations and commissions have helped—and continue to help—strengthen cooperation among riparian countries, as well as to facilitate other concerned actors’ involvement in this endeavour. Since the early 1970s, the mandates of international organizations have increasingly included a variety of issues related to water protection and management. Among these issues is the provision of technical and financial assistance, which now serves as a key governance tool. Moreover, partnerships among various stakeholders have also been established and these are explored in this chapter.