A ‘beyond the river’ approach for enhanced cooperation in the Euphrates-Tigris basin -

Abstract

The Euphrates and Tigris Rivers have historically been a major source of dispute and conflict between its main riparians: Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. While several water agreements have previously been signed between individual riparians, no comprehensive agreement over the sharing of the basin’s water exists. With the threat of increasing water scarcity associated with climate change and inefficient water use across the basin, notwithstanding current hostility events in the region, the conflict remains as complex as ever. The purpose of this study is to understand the geo-political nature of this conflict by synthesizing its various aspects and test a water allocation plan for the ET region based on criteria adopted by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Water Courses coupled with a sensitivity analysis to these criteria as well as weighing factors emphasizing riparians’ perspectives. Finally, a SWOT analysis was used to compare unilateral and basin wide management options. The benefits afforded to the basin as a result of a benefit-sharing agreement are also argued in the context of current challenges posed by political and social turmoil in the region for such an agreement. The results indicate that irrespective of the level of sensitivity or weights assigned to allocation criteria, the current pattern of water allocation does not conform to international water law guidelines, nor are current and future consumption targets sustainable. A benefit-sharing framework is suggested to overcome problems associated with conventional water-sharing agreements or unilateral management practices, while promoting the potential of the water-energy-food security nexus approach. The win-win framework was envisioned to attract competing riparians with non-water benefits to encourage negotiation and cooperation over the shared water resources of the basin. Benefit-sharing is argued to play a significant role in creating a resilient basin, and provide economic a