Managing transboundary wetlands: the Ramsar Convention as a means of ecological diplomacy

Pamela Griffin () and Saleem Ali

Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, 2014, vol. 4, issue 3, 230-239

Abstract: Shared conservation projects, especially those involving water, can help build trust and confidence between bordering countries to build or maintain peace. The essential nature of water has brought countries such as Pakistan and India together to develop the Indus Water Treaty, a shared management plan. The Ramsar Convention is an international environmental agreement addressing wetland conservation with a key provision that acknowledges wetlands may transcend political boundaries. These are defined as transboundary wetlands. Shared management of these systems provides an opportunity to build trust among neighbors, hence the prospect for “ecological diplomacy.” Enlisting the scientific process into diplomacy can address issues of uncertainty related to hydrological resources and help create more resilient agreements. Prioritizing countries with Ramsar transboundary wetlands according to the Global Peace Index, which ranks countries according to their prospects for peace, reveals participating countries with the greatest need for peacebuilding. With over 40 years of experience, the Convention has built a significant measure of international trust, though it often operates “under the radar.” This is an underutilized diplomatic opportunity. A more proactive approach to transboundary wetland conservation can provide new diplomatic energy to help end conflicts and build peace. Copyright AESS 2014

Keywords: Transboundary; Conservation; Ecological; Diplomacy; Ramsar Convention; Environmental treaty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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DOI: 10.1007/s13412-014-0173-0

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