Fostering riparian cooperation in international river basins
Subtitle: the World Bank at its best in development diplomacy
By: Syed Kirmani, Guy Le Moigne.
Contributors: Le Moigne, Guy J.-M., 1932-
Series: World Bank technical paper,; no. 335
Publisher: World Bank
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Washington, D.C
Language: eng; ger
Number of pages: 19
Subjects: World Bank.; International relations.; Economic development.; Watersheds -- Economic aspects.; Aral Sea Watershed (Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan) -- Economic conditions.; Indus River Watershed -- Economic conditions.; Mekong River Watershed -- Economic conditions.
Description: This report describes the World Bank's successful interventions in three international river basins -- the Indus, the Mekong, and the Aral Sea -- to foster riparian cooperation and agreements. It discusses the key features of the Bank's role and the following strategies: intervening solely to promote development and peace; timing interventions when issues were serious, when riparians were not able to address them on their own, and when they needed and wanted Bank assistance; initiating dialogue with riparian countries at the highest levels to inspire confidence, playing a proactive role in exploring pragmatic solutions acceptable to all parties rather than pursuing ideal but unworkable solutions; using quiet diplomacy in negotiating sensitive issues; making the required long-term staff and budgetary commitment despite final outcome uncertainty; mobilizing donor countries support; and analyzing risks and taking appropriate measures to minimize them. The paper concludes that the Bank can succeed in other international river basin conflicts if it follows these same strategies.--Publisher's description.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 18-19).