France and transboundary waters (May 2015)
Fact sheet, May 2015
Over 40% of the world’s population lives in transboundary river basins, which account for almost 60% of global freshwater resources. Moreover, nearly one country in six depends on upstream countries for over half of its water supply.
Water is, by nature, a local public good and a resource that crosses borders. This is a source of significant tension in some regions, namely Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. For this reason, France promotes international conventions that foster dialogue and support transboundary water cooperation initiatives.