Expert warns transboundary water management is critical for cities

Effective management of transboundary water resources is vital for the future of cities, said Barbara Janusz-Pauletta, representative of the International Water Management Institute in Uzbekistan and head of its Regional Office for Central Asia.

According to Report, she made the remarks during an event titled "Regional Perspectives on Sustainable Housing Finance for Accelerating SDG Implementation" held within the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.

She noted that only 22% of transboundary water resources are currently in good condition, compared to a global average of 59%, while 100% is considered the ideal benchmark. This highlights the urgent need for stronger water protection and management efforts in many countries, she said.

"Otherwise, cities will not have enough water. Water is used in every sector - cities, green energy, biodiversity, and flood protection are all linked to it," she explained.

The expert stressed that managing transboundary river basins requires strong regional cooperation, citing the Kura River basin in the Caucasus as an example.

"Water is considered a human right, and access to drinking water and sanitation is governed by international agreements. However, many countries have not yet joined these treaties," she said.

Janusz-Pauletta emphasized that while states have sovereign rights over their resources, they must cooperate with neighbors to avoid harm and ensure sustainable use of shared water resources.

"Information exchange is essential for effective transboundary water management. You cannot protect what you cannot manage - therefore, data sharing is the first obligation," she added.