France gives international recognition to water treaty

France has announced that it will sign up to a contract to govern the protection of rivers and lakes across international boundaries.

The news that France will become the 20th country to join the treaty was released this morning (June 4th) at the World Water Forum.

Water programme leader of Green Cross International Marie-Laure Vercambre said: "The announcement made by France … sends a strong message to the international community on the importance of improving transboundary water management."

France joins the likes of Spain and Tunisia in committing to the UN Watercourses Convention, which sets standards for the cooperation between international states over the protection of shared watercourses.

The convention requires 15 more countries to sign the treaty for it to come into effect.

Earlier this week, the Thames Gateway Water Treatment Works plant was opened in London in order to supply water for the city in times of drought.

Posted by Claire Manning