Aspects of Sovereignty and the Evolving Regimes of Transboundary Water Management

Abstract

This article examines the principle of State sovereignty in international law and how this affects the management of shared natural resources, in particular international watercourses. As one of the most fundamental principles of international law, State sovereignty is often considered an impediment to common management of international watercourses as it creates focus on national segments of the resource and on defining each State’s rights and entitlements to utilization. Through the study of alternative paradigms of State sovereignty, this article will endeavour to give new perspectives on how the principle can contribute to progressive development in the management of international shared resources.