Transboundary River Management
A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2025 | Viewed by 270
Special Issue Editor
Interests: transboundary environmental geopolitics; the geopolitics of the Mekong Basin; hydropower and contested water resources; political geographies and ecologies of development and environment; hydro-social relations in the Tonle Sap and Lower Mekong Basin
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The management of transboundary rivers is a crucial issue for sustainable development. Transboundary river basin management is complex in scale and scope, raising multiple overlying political, social, and ecological issues. These include international relations between states sharing river basins, geopolitics between states across scales and places, power imbalances and uneven development, water-energy-food security, cultural politics, and international law. Transboundary river management relates to the effectiveness and deficiencies of existing treaties, agreements, and mechanisms, as well as the role of regional organizations in promoting cooperation and resolving conflicts. Additionally, the collaboration between states, enterprises, and international institutions profoundly impacts water resource management, particularly regarding infrastructure investment and financial incentives. Equally significant is the role of non-governmental organizations in advocating equitable water distribution environmental protection, and facilitating dialog between governments and communities. Within transboundary river basins, it is vital to consider the influence of grassroots movements on policy formulation and the contributions of community participation and indigenous ecological knowledge to sustainable management practices. In terms of water governance, there is a need to study the adaptability of decision-making frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and accountability mechanisms. Water-related policies can significantly impact social relations, identities, and power dynamics among different communities, thus affecting the management of transboundary rivers.
This Special Issue delves into transboundary river basins' management systems and governance mechanisms, analyzing the complex interactions among states, enterprises, and society from multiple institutional, social, and environmental perspectives. It aims to provide theoretical and practical references for policymakers, scholars, and water resource managers, helping all parties better understand and address the challenges of transboundary river governance and thereby contributing wisdom and experience to the sustainable management of global water resources.
Dr. Carl Grundy-Warr
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- transboundary rivers
- transboundary river management and contested water resources
- transboundary institutions and forms of governance
- transboundary river geopolitics and international relations
- hydro-social relations and water resources
- the role of NGOs, social movements, and civil society in transboundary river systems
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