In the ongoing Anthropocene period, the necessity to develop an efficient water management is becoming crucial. However, as the author argues, the sustainable water management does not require an international organization with broad powers and strict regulations. It could be more useful for the international community to develop soft law in this field and focus on improving governance at the regional level. The paper delves into deficiencies of water management models on national, regional ang global levels and propose measures to improve them. First, it explores how sovereign countries can contribute to the overall improvement of water resources, since all water bodies are interconnected due to the water cycle. A state government develops and implements programs for the rationalization of water usage on national level, which consequently mitigate the effects of global climate change in the hydrosphere. The author then examines a role of regional cooperation in improving the quality of water sources. The analysis of such cases as the Syr Darya–Amu Darya and Tigris–Euphrates river systems uncovers the conditions for reducing the regional conflict potential. The researcher also sheds light on the lack of authority of the World Water Council, UN Water Resources and UNESCO in implementation of their recommendations. With sovereign states reluctant to sign framework agreements which include specific mechanisms, it makes more sense to opt for the enhancement of already existing water management schemes, then to elaborate a separate international legislation.

Svetlana Vorobieva
Russian Geographical Society

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ID Abstract: 564