First Assessment of Transboundary Rivers, Lakes and Groundwaters in the UNECE region has been launched

Our waters: joining hands across borders - First Assessment of Transboundary Rivers, Lakes and Groundwaters in the UNECE region has been launched within the sixth Ministerial Conference “Environment for Europe” (Belgrade, 10–12 October 2007) and is now available on-line through the following web-site: http://www.unece.org/env/water/publications/pub76.htm

The publication offers in-depth information on all major surface water bodies in the European and Asian parts of the UNECE region and transboundary aquifers located in South-Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia. It describes the hydrological regime of these water bodies, pressure factors in their basins, their status and transboundary impact, as well as trends, future developments and envisaged management measures. Such data is usually not readily available as it is dispersed over many institutions and an integrated approach to surface water and groundwater management is still in its infancy.

Transboundary waters connect populations of different countries. They are a major source of income for millions of people and create hydrological, social and economic interdependencies. Our Waters aims to inform, guide and stimulate further action by Governments, river basin organizations, international organizations and relevant non-governmental organizations for improving the status of transboundary waters.