The interim government has officially decided to to ratify the 1992 United Nations Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, commonly known as the Water Convention.

The decision was made during a meeting of the Council of Advisers held at the Chief Adviser's Office in Dhaka today, with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus presiding over the session.

Briefing the media afterward at the Foreign Service Academy, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said the United Nations has two key legal instruments for managing transboundary water resources — the 1997 Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses and the 1992 Water Convention.

Although the 1992 convention was initially designed for European nations, it became open to all UN member states in 2016. Rizwana noted that since then, 11 non-European countries, mainly in Africa, have joined the agreement.

"Today, we reached a decision to move forward with the ratification of the 1992 Water Convention," she announced.

The adviser also mentioned that Bangladesh has already completed the required formalities and procedures necessary for ratification.

Once the process is complete, Bangladesh will become the first Asian nation to ratify the 1992 Water Convention.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam was also present during the press briefing.

BDST: 2001 HRS, April 17, 2025
MSK