Bangladesh becomes first south Asian country to join UN water convention

Bangladesh has officially acceded to the UN Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (UN Water Convention), becoming the first country in South Asia to do so.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Environment on Tuesday, Bangladesh joined the Convention on 20 June 2025, becoming the 56th country globally to sign the treaty.

As a deltaic nation with 57 transboundary rivers—including the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) system—Bangladesh's water security, environmental sustainability, and regional stability rely heavily on effective cross-border water cooperation.

Rising sea levels, increasing salinity intrusion, and the fact that 65 million people still lack access to safely managed sanitation services underscore the urgent need for equitable and sustainable water governance.

The UN Water Convention provides a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to promote cooperation over shared surface and groundwater resources. Bangladesh has actively engaged with the Convention since 2012 and participated in its 10th Meeting of the Parties held in Slovenia in 2024.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged all UN member states to join and implement the Convention.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor on Water Resources and Environment, said, “Accession to the UN Water Convention is a landmark step for Bangladesh. Climate change, growing populations, and rising water demand require enhanced transboundary cooperation. The Convention will help us develop more effective and inclusive water policies to ensure long-term water security.”

Bangladesh maintains longstanding bilateral water agreements and institutions, including the Joint Rivers Commission and the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty with India, and continues cooperation with Nepal, China, and Bhutan.

Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), welcomed Bangladesh’s accession, saying, “This is a significant move for South Asia. The Convention is a crucial instrument for strengthening cross-border water cooperation at a time of increasing climate pressure.”

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