This depends on the countries ...

This depends on the countries involved. In time we will realise that transboundary management of water resources is the single most important focus for neighbouring countries. The setup and involvement of Commissions with an effective and far-reaching mandate is by far the most effective way to make a solid foundation for negotiations between countries. There is an apparent lack of 'positive and true' NGO involvement in many transboundary river systems in the world, which needs to be taken into account and not just as an afterthought. Small steps forward are effective as opposed to large-scale public sector planning without any tabled proposals or agreements. Cross-sectoral involvement in countries (and between countries) forms the basis for the realisation of the real importance of water. Many see water as a means of profit, a means of power...but it is not. Water is the universal solvent and despite differing motives of the transboundary countries, in the end, it is only a solvent that can dissolve the archaic national boundaries, selfish thinking and ineffectual management, by which many are restrained and restricted by today. Throwing public money at the myriad of transboundary issues of water is not really effective (GEF, EU, GIZ, etc). What is effective is truthfulness, sharing, caring, educating and undertaking joint responsibility to maintain ecosystems that know no borders. As my divorce lawyer said, 'the truth lies in the middle ground'.