SIC ICWC PARTICIPATED IN THE DISCUSSION OF THE ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW IN IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE TRANSBOUNDARY WATER PROJECTS
On March 9-10, 2023, the University of Bologna (Italy) organized a hybrid workshop on the theme "International Law and Transboundary Hydropower Projects”. The event was aimed at developing a research program on the role of international law in the development and operation of large hydropower infrastructure within the shared transboundary basins.
The applicability of different fields of international law, including water, environment, climate, human rights, indigenous rights, cultural heritage, and investment to the development of transboundary hydropower projects was discussed at the workshop.
Special norms related to hydropower such as the Final Report of the World Commission on Dams 2000, the standards and certification scheme of Hydropower Sustainable Council for hydropower sustainability and safety standards adopted by multilateral development banks were also reviewed.
Speakers presented experience in developing and operating large hydropower or water projects in the Parana River basin (Brazil, Paraguay), Colombia (USA-Canada), Nile (Ethiopian Renaissance Dam) and Mekong (Xayaburi hydropower project).
The Director of SIC ICWC, D. Ziganshina, presented lessons of bilateral cooperation in operation of water facilities in the lower reaches of the Amu Darya River (Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan), Chu and Talas (Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan) as well as the review of recent agreements on joint operation of Orto-Tokoy (Kasansay) and Andijan (Kempirabad) reservoirs located between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan and the Farkhad dam between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
She also spoke about the plans on joint construction and operation of hydropower projects in Zerafshan between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as trilateral agreements between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan on joint construction of Kambarata HPP-1. She particularly noted the positive experience of cooperation in emergency situations citing the collapse of the Sardoba dam in Uzbekistan, which affected the border regions of Kazakhstan.
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