International river commissions
The International Scheldt Commission
The International Scheldt Commission is an intergovernmental body for sustainable management of the Scheldt river district.The purpose of the International Scheldt Commission (ISC) is to promote cooperation between the riparian states and regions of the Scheldt, to achieve a sustainable and integrated water management of the International Scheldt River Basin District.
The International Scheldt Commission was established in 2002 upon the signature of the Scheldt Convention (Treaty of Ghent).
It seeks to achieve this objective by:
- Coordinating the efforts of the individual riparian states and provinces in performing their obligations under the European Water Framework Directive.
- Drawing up a single management plan for the International Scheldt River Basin District, under the Water Framework Directive.
- Conducting debate on precautions and protective measures to be taken against high tides.
International Meuse Commission
The International Meuse Commission (IMC) was established in 2002 upon the signature of the Meuse Convention (Treaty of Ghent). The purpose of the Convention is to achieve sustainable and integrated water management of the Meuse international river basin district. The Convention was signed by the Walloon Region, the Netherlands, France, Germany, the Flemish Region, the Brussels Capital Region, Belgium and Luxembourg. The Meuse Convention entered into force on 1 December 2006.
The main tasks of the IMC are:
- coordinating the obligations under the European Water Framework Directive,
- coordinating the obligations under the European directive on the assessment and management of flood risks, and
- providing advice and recommendations to the Parties on the prevention and control of calamitous water pollution (warning and alarm system).
- initiating measures to prevent and control calamitous water pollution in line
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
One of these conventions is The Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention). The Water Convention aims to protect and ensure the quantity, quality and sustainable use of transboundary water resources by facilitating cooperation. It provides an intergovernmental platform for the day-to-day development and advancement of transboundary cooperation.
Initially negotiated as a regional instrument, it turned into a universally available legal framework for transboundary water cooperation, following the entry into force of amendments in February 2013, opening it to all UN Member States. It is expected that countries outside the ECE region will be able to join the Convention as of early 2015.
The UNECE-WHO/Europe Protocol on Water and Health aims to protect human health and well-being by better water management and by preventing, controlling and reducing water-related diseases. The Protocol provides a sound framework for the translation into practice of the human right to water and sanitation.
