Water Diplomacy Index: A Tool for Evaluating Cooperation on Shared Water Resources

This study evaluates the challenges of water diplomacy (WD) activities involved in managing shared water resources. Effective management is much needed in view of the increasing demand for freshwater coupled with possibilities of conflicts arising from some shared water resources. The study introduces, develops, and applies the Water Diplomacy Index (WDI) as a new assessment tool that examines WD practices in managing shared water resources. The WDI primarily assesses how countries deal with increasing water scarcity, conflict resolution, and mitigation of disputes over shared water resources. The index builds a multifaceted approach from case studies of shared water resource management with major parameters involving political dynamics, preventive measures, integrative approaches, cooperative governance, and technical capabilities. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) utilized intensive qualitative content analysis of the literature and a panel of international and regional experts in WD led to the identification and ranking of the different criteria to be incorporated into the WDI. The WDI ranked five shared river basins (Rhine River Basin (RRB), Columbia River Basin (CRB), Senegal River Basin (SRB), Yarmouk River Basin (YRB), and the Euphrates–Tigris River Basin (ETRB)) based on their WD practice mechanisms, providing insights into methods that help governments cooperate and resolve conflicts. The findings reveal disparities in the effectiveness of WD across regions, with examples like the RRB demonstrating efficient management, while others, such as the YRB, face significant challenges. The study offers a structured approach for policymakers and stakeholders to enhance collaborative water governance, encouraging proactive diplomacy to mitigate potential disputes and promote sustainable use of shared water resources. Ultimately, the WDI offers a structured, comparative measure of water diplomacy practice across basins that policymakers and stakeholders can use to identify gaps in current cooperation mechanisms.