This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.
Under the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, 1992 the parties are obliged to take appropriate measures to: (1) prevent, control and reduce pollution of waters causing or likely to cause transboundary impact; (2) ensure that transboundary waters are used on the basis of respect for ecologically sound and rational water management, conservation of water resources and environmental protection; and (3) ensure that transboundary waters are used in a reasonable and equitable way; ensure conservation and, where necessary, restoration of ecosystems. The Parties are to be guided by the precautionary principle, the polluter-pays principle and sustainable water-resource management. The Parties should also apply environmental impact assessment and the ecosystem approach in water management.
The Parties bordering a transboundary water body shall establish and implement joint programmes for monitoring the condition of the water and exchange available data on the environmental condition of the water. The Parties shall report periodically on the implementation of the Convention. At the meeting of the Parties the policies for and the methodological approaches to the protection and use of transboundary waters shall be reviewed.