Water in International Law: Between Singularity and Plurality : Inaugural lecture delivered at the Collège de France on Thursday 12 January 2023

Abstract

Essential to human life and activity, freshwater is increasingly becoming a concern of international law. Its regulation, initially focused on rivers shared by several States, has gradually shifted to other sources of water. Today, its scarcity, the need for sustainable distribution of its uses, its use as a weapon of war, its vulnerability to environmental degradation and the prevention of disputes are all issues that call for the mobilization and reinforcement of international law.