Updated Transboundary Freshwater Diplomacy Database Explorer launched at World Water Week
A new and expanded database that helps researchers, policymakers and water diplomats manage water conflicts and enhance cooperation over shared water resources was launched at World Water Week in Stockholm. The database and the new user interface offer easy access to comprehensive, scientific-based information on transboundary water conflict, cooperation, treaties and institutions.
The updated Transboundary Freshwater Diplomacy Database (TFDD) and the new TFDD Explorer were launched by the Shared Waters Lab (SWL) Partnership between Oregon State University, IHE Delft, and The Fletcher School at Tufts University at an event held on 27 August 2024.
The updated database is a key resource, Johannes Cullmann, IHE Delft Director for Impact and Partnerships, said at the launch: “The database is the compendium of water diplomacy. It gives us a reference of what we did in the past.”
A pioneering resource for water diplomacy
Since its inception, the TFDD has played a critical role in reshaping the narrative around transboundary water interactions – for example, it shows that water more often leads to cooperation than conflict. Mapping all water events between countries worldwide, the TFDD is the only resource of its kind, offering a unique and comprehensive perspective on international water diplomacy.
What's new?
The recent updates to the TFDD include:
- Expanded Data Explorer, incorporating new shapefile of transboundary river basins and related geospatial information.
- New Treaties and details on River Basin Organizations, offering deeper insights into the governance of shared waters.
- Mapping of Transboundary Wetlands, broadening the scope of its environmental impact assessments.
SWL Partnership Director, Melissa McCracken of the Fletcher School at Tufts University hailed the impact of TFDD Explorer as a gamechanging interface to access the data and analyse data linkages from a spatial perspective. Its development is possible through the support of partners, including IUCN, GWPSA, Government of the Netherlands, World Bank, IW:Learn and GEF.
“The TFDD Explorer will help expand our knowledge and understanding from the global scale on how transboundary conflict and cooperation dynamics are functioning,” she said.
Further advancing this key resource requires additional resources, and the launch of the new version also served as a call-to-action for support, said SWL Partner Lead Susanne Schmeier, IHE Delft Associate Professor of Water Law and Diplomacy.
“The TFDD update will help expand our knowledge and understanding from the global scale on how transboundary conflict and cooperation dynamics are functioning.”
A valuable tool for researchers and policymakers
Looking forward, the TFDD team is focused on automating the updates of conflict-cooperation events, enhancing the timeliness and accuracy of the database. These efforts will further solidify the TFDD’s position as an essential tool for understanding and managing transboundary water issues.
By illustrating institutionalized cooperation mechanisms and the numerous interactions —both cooperative and conflictive—between countries over shared water resources, the TFDD provides a foundation for informed decision-making in water diplomacy. The TFDD's datasets are also instrumental for academic research.
IHE Delft at World Water Week
The TFDD launch was just one of several World Water Week events with IHE Delft involvement. IHE Delft experts are speaking at sessions including the SIWI Seminar Series on the art of water diplomacy, which features PhD Candidate Bota Sharipova and Lecturer/Researcher Mohd Faizee.
Susanne Schmeier
Head of the WG Department
Related
News ·
Uta Wehn appointed Professor of Citizen Science and Sustainability
Uta Wehn, recently appointed Professor of Citizen Science and Sustainability at IHE Delft and Leiden University, is a champion for citizen science that empowers citizens and communities to contribute to positive change. Her professorship will analyse and expand the role of citizen science in catalysing change toward sustainability.
News ·
Alumni impact: a park for water security, biodiversity and more in Colombia
When urban sprawl in the city of Cali threatened precious land that is key to important aquifers that supplies the city and the region with water, IHE Delft alumnus Daniel Ascúntar Rios knew he had to act. In 2020, as an official in the local administration, he led a team that acquired the land and created a giant park packed with nature-based solutions that protect not only the aquifer, but also biodiversity, culture and heritage.
News ·
Mario Castro Gama earns PhD for research on energy savings for water utilities
Mario Castro Gama from Colombia has successfully defended his PhD thesis on “Multi-Objective Optimization of Energy Efficiency and Pressure Management in Large Water Distribution Networks.” The results demonstrated up to 16% energy savings and enhanced operational cost efficiency. Dr. Mario Castro Gama was awarded with a doctoral degree at IHE Delft on 19 November 2024. His promotor is Professor Dimitri Solomatine and his co-promotor Dr. Andreja Jonoski. He would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Ioana Popescu and Dr. Andreja Jonoski for their guidance. He reflects on his research and its significance.