International inland waters : concepts for a more active World Bank role

This paper reviews the World Bank's role in international water affairs. It was initiated to address the concerns expressed by the delegates to an international workshop on comprehensive water resources management organized by the Bank in June 1991. The review of the Bank's experience shows that, with the notable exception of the Indus Water Treaty, the Bank has made only limited direct interventions in international water affairs. Its present policy has a strictly limited project orientation. It is curative rather than preventive and does not foster creative options in situations where riparian countries of widely different technical abilities and economic power are involved. The paper points out that international water issues are assuming increasing importance in the Bank's development assistance strategies, that the demand for Bank assistance is increasing, and that the Bank has unique opportunities and comparative advantage in assisting riparian countries where efficient use of scarce water resources, increasing pollution, and lack of riparian cooperation are seriously threatening sustainable development.