Human Rights & Religious Freedom - Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Council (GOAC) at the UN
The Protection and Management of Transboundary Groundwater:
Legal Issues and the Human Right to Water
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Summary
Transboundary groundwater resources are of critical importance to the prosperity and well-being of individuals and States, not only for the present, but for future generations. Their protection is essential to ensuring the Human Right to Water. Groundwater constitutes the vast majority of the globe’s freshwater supply, for potable, industrial, and agricultural use. Frequently, aquifers that contain this valuable resource straddle national boundaries. Recent years have thus seen increased attention paid to the development of international legal principles and regimes that have the aim of helping to protect and manage transnational groundwater resources. It is nevertheless generally understood that the international legal regime pertaining to transboundary groundwater is still less developed than the regime applicable to more visible transboundary surface waters.
The Sixth Committee of the UN General Assembly is currently discussing the law of transboundary aquifers. This event provides an open exchange of views and experiences regarding this topic. It will serve as an opportunity to discuss recent developments in the international law governing transboundary groundwater, along with ideas on the further development of this area of law. It will also provide an opportunity to consider the challenges currently facing States with respect to managing and protecting shared groundwater resources, and will offer an opportunity to discuss how lessons from international cooperation in other contexts might help chart a path forward.
Speakers
H.E. Dr. Caleb Otto
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Permanent Representative of Palau to the UN
Christina Hioureas, Esq.
Chair of United Nations Practice Group
Foley Hoag LLP
Dr. Javier Taks
Chairman of the UNESCO Chair on Water and Culture
Universidad de la República Uruguay
Nicholas Anton, Moderator
Coordinator of UN Programs
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
Multimedia
Religious freedom is a fundamental human right. Despite recognition by international accords, religious liberty is under attack in many countries around the world. Surviving oppression both historically and today, the Orthodox Church is certainly no stranger to human rights violations and the lack of religious liberty. Through its 2000 years of experience, and with Christ at its core, the Church advocates for human rights, putting people before profit.
Since 1985, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Council (GoArch at UN) has advocated as a non-governmental organization (NGO) at the United Nations on the issues of human rights and religious freedom. Currently, the GoArch at UN is a contributing member of the following NGO Committees related to this topic:
- NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief
- NGO Committee on Human Rights
- NGO Committee on the Status of Women
- The Committee of Religious NGOs at the UN