INTERNATIONAL WATERCOURSES CONVENTION

That this House notes that water is the source of life and that many poor communities around the world rely upon fresh water in rivers and lakes for their livelihoods; recognises international concern that the over-exploitation of water resources and the consequences of climate change will place serious strain on rivers and lakes in the future; is concerned that pre-existing political tensions in fragile parts of the world could be exacerbated by competing claims for limited freshwater sources; acknowledges the need to promote dialogue between nations with shared river and lake catchments in order to encourage their equitable and sustainable use and protection; further notes that the Japanese Prime Minister has recently pledged that water and climate change will be important issues in next year's G8 meeting; further notes that in May 1997 the UK Government was a co-sponsor of the UN Convention on the Law of Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses which seeks to promote effective water resource management and to reduce potential conflict over access to water; further notes that 16 other countries have now ratified the Convention, including Germany which signed in 2007; and calls upon the UK Government to accede without delay to the Convention and to use its principles to guide wider water resources programmes, at domestic and international levels.