Controlling transboundary effects of water-related disease

Transboundary states must pursue collectively the aims of: (a) Access to drinking water for everyone; (b) Provision of sanitation for everyone within a framework of integrated water-management systems aimed at sustainable use of water resources, ambient water quality which does not endanger human health, and protection of water ecosystems.

Article 11 of the 1999 Draft Protocol on Water and Health to the 1992 Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, states: The Parties shall cooperate and, as appropriate, assist each other: (a) In international actions in support of the objectives of this Protocol; (b) On request, in implementing national and local plans in pursuance of this Protocol.

Article 12 of the 1999 Draft Protocol on Water and Health, continues: the Parties shall promote cooperation in international action relating to: (a) The development of commonly agreed targets; (b) The development of indicators; (b), to show how far action on water-related disease has been successful in preventing, controlling and reducing such disease; (c) The establishment of joint or coordinated systems for surveillance and early-warning systems, contingency plans and response capacities as part of, or to complement, the national systems maintained in accordance with article 8 for the purpose of responding to outbreaks and incidents of water-related disease and significant threats of such outbreaks and incidents, especially from water-pollution incidents or extreme weather events; (d) Mutual assistance in responding to outbreaks and incidents of water-related disease and significant threats of such outbreaks and incidents, especially from water-pollution incidents or extreme weather events; (e) The development of integrated information systems and databases, exchange of information and sharing of technical and legal knowledge and experience; (f) The prompt and clear notification by the competent authorities of one Party to the corresponding authorities of other Parties which may be affected of: (i) Outbreaks and incidents of water-related disease, and (ii) Significant threats of such outbreaks and incidents which have been identified; (g) The exchange of information on effective means of disseminating to the public information about water-related disease.