Nearly 100 countries gathered in Ljubljana for the 10th session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP10) to the Water Convention (23-25 October), organized by UNECE in cooperation with the Government of Slovenia, to discuss how the Convention can help advance transboundary cooperation and increase resilience to climate change. Held at a time of increasing water-related crises, MOP10 brought together 500 participants, including over 40 high-level representatives.
The high-level segment underscored how transboundary cooperation enhances the effectiveness of both climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as strategies to strengthen the robustness of cooperation arrangements. Examples shared include revising existing transboundary agreements to take into account climate change, and also highlighted the role of basin organizations such as the Senegal basin development organization.
Since the last session of the Meeting of the Parties in October 2021, nine new countries (Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Iraq, Namibia, Nigeria, Panama, Zambia and Zimbabwe) from three continents have joined the Water Convention, marking a 20% increase in Parties and underscoring the Convention's growing global relevance as a unique multilateral framework for water cooperation. Now with 55 Parties, the Water Convention continues to build momentum as an essential tool for managing shared water resources across regions and sectors.
A new programme of work to address transboundary water challenges
The meeting concluded with landmark decisions that strengthen the Convention's role as a global framework for transboundary water cooperation. Parties adopted a new programme of work for 2025-2027 which responds to the needs of countries and advances key areas such as water quality, source-to-sea management and biodiversity conservation. The programme of work also reflects the Convention's role in tackling the growing impacts of climate change on transboundary waters, which responds to the needs of countries and advances activities in key areas such as water quality, source-to-sea management and biodiversity conservation. The programme of work also reflects the Convention's role in tackling the growing impacts of climate change on transboundary waters.
Key decisions to strengthen the Convention's global impact
MOP10 saw the adoption of several significant decisions to enhance the effectiveness and inclusivity of the Convention. Decisions on cooperation with international financial institutions and on cooperation with regional organizations will further support transboundary water cooperation and basin development. Translation and interpretation services will also be expanded to cover all six official UN languages (English, French, Russian, Chines Spanish and Arabic) to ensure equal and meaningful participation by all Parties. Parties also decided to initiate a process to shape the future financing of the Water Convention's work.
Urgent call for action on transboundary water cooperation
New findings from a joint UNECE/UNESCO report on SDG indicator 6.5.2, presented at MOP10, sounded the alarm on the lack of international cooperation for managing shared rivers, lakes, and aquifers. Despite the fact that 153 UN Member States rely on transboundary waters, only 28% have effective agreements in place for all their transboundary basins to co-manage these critical resources. The report calls for urgent collaboration to address the intensifying impacts of droughts and floods, which are exacerbated by climate change.
A new publication launched at MOP10 emphasizes the importance of sharing data and information across political, sectoral, and institutional boundaries. Effective data-sharing is crucial for informed decision-making and building trust among riparian countries, thereby enhancing water security and cooperation.
The third report on the implementation of the Water Convention highlighted significant achievements by Parties, such as new agreements and action plans which showcase the benefits of collaboration, including improved water quality, healthier ecosystems, and strengthened governance. However, the report also identifies challenges in some shared basins, including resource constraints, governance issues and insufficient data that hinder effective implementation of the Convention.
Slovenia takes the helm as new Chair of the Water Convention for 2025-2027
MOP10 elected the Convention's new Bureau members for 2025-2027, who will play a vital role in guiding its work, as well as Implementation Committee members.
Slovenia, which hosted the meeting, was elected as Chair of the Water Convention for the next three years, taking over from Estonia. Located in the Danube and Sava River basins, Slovenia has extensive experience in transboundary water management.
MOP10 was preceded by a Matchmaking Event, the first of its kind for the Convention, which connected Parties needing support with those able to provide it, to accelerate the Water Convention's implementation and strengthen transboundary water cooperation globally.
Over the three days of MOP10, 14 side events addressed key topics like Convention accession, ecosystem protection, source-to-sea management, and civil society engagement.
Looking ahead, Senegal announced its readiness to host MOP11 in 2027, which would make it the first session of the Meeting of the Parties to be held in Africa.
Photo credit: Jani Ugrin, Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning of Slovenia
