Abstract
Transboundary water treaties are evaluated and compared using Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) in order to identify the most desirable treaty and suggest how existing treaties can be improved. More specifically, a flexible MCDA technique, called the Elimination Method, is employed for analyzing and comparing three multilateral treaties and one bilateral transboundary treaty according to three main criteria, which focus on each treaty’s capacity in dispute avoidance and resolution. The three multilateral agreements and one bilateral treaty which are studied consist of the 1998 Rhine Convention, 1995 Mekong River Basin Agreement, 1992 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention, and the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty between Canada and the United States, respectively. The analytical results reveal limitations of these international water policies with respect to conflict resolution, and provide directions for the possible improvement in cooperation over international water resources.
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Ma, J., Hipel, K.W., De, M. et al. Transboundary Water Policies: Assessment, Comparison and Enhancement. Water Resour Manage 22, 1069–1087 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-007-9211-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-007-9211-y