Lessons from the last 30 years for future water resource management in national and transboundary catchments.

This article explores the concept of integrated water resources management (IWRM) and its development over the past 30 years. IWRM emerged in 1992 at the Dublin International Conference on Water and the Environment as a way to address the growing pressures on water resources by integrating environmental, economic, and social dimensions. However, early criticisms of IWRM pointed out its lack of clear definitions and practical implementation. To address this, the International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO) was established in 1994, proposing a definition and key actions for successful implementation. These actions include managing surface water and groundwater together, documenting water resource status, developing management plans, investing in measures, implementing sustainable financing mechanisms, and involving users and stakeholders. The article emphasizes the cyclical and iterative nature of the IWRM process and highlights the adaptability of the French water management model. The INBO has published manuals providing guidance and case studies for implementing IWRM in different contexts. The article also discusses the increasing role of IWRM at the basin level, highlighting governance and on-the-ground indicators that can be used to assess progress and challenges. The European region has been instrumental in promoting IWRM, with the adoption of the Water Framework Directive in 2000. International law, such as the Helsinki Water Convention, has also played a significant role in establishing a legal framework for cooperation on transboundary watercourses. The document stresses the importance of political and financial support for IWRM at the basin level [Extracted from the article]