The Evolution of Water Diplomacy Frameworks: The Euphrates-Tigris Basin as a Case Study

Abstract

Water diplomacy encompasses the processes and institutions through which the national interests and identities of sovereign states are represented to one another. It is enshrined in international law, which states use to explain and justify their policies to concerned actors in the international system. States mostly prefer traditional tools of water diplomacy such as negotiation and mediation to resolve disputes in transboundary river basins. This chapter explores water diplomacy along with its main principles and actors. On the one hand, the state has been the main actor in shaping transboundary water policies and conducting water diplomacy throughout the last few decades of water disputes. On the other hand, international organizations, international financial agencies, non-governmental organizations, and science-policy (Track II) initiatives also participate in water diplomacy. A brief discussion of emerging water diplomacy approaches is followed by a case study on the evolution of water diplomacy frameworks in the Euphrates-Tigris river basin.