Multistakeholder regional dialogues as catalysers for transboundary water cooperation

ABSTRACT

Multistakeholder dialogues (MSDs) provide unique opportunities for partners and key stakeholders to meet in a neutral space, get to know each other, and build trust and mutual understanding before getting into the issue of water cooperation. The study identifies four key enabling factors stimulating regional MSDs: (a) balancing inclusion and role of facilitators, (b) utilizing existing regional political and economic processes, (c) using thematic anchoring and strategic design, and (d) leveraging sustainable finance. An examination of transboundary regional MSDs in South East Europe, Southern Africa, and South Asia reveals the pivotal role played by these four factor.

KEYWORDS:

• Regional multistakeholder dialogue
• transboundary water cooperation
• South East Europe
• South Asia
• Southern Africa

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Luca Jendrek, Ashutosh Shukla, Irina Gribanenkova and Milena Oravcova for their contribution to the research this paper takes key insights from. The views expressed in this document do not necessarily represent the official views of GWP.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).