Online Report : Bangladesh has become the first South Asian nation; and 56th country globally, to join the United Nations Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, commonly known as the UN Water Convention.

The formal accession took place on June 20, marking a significant step towards sustainable transboundary water governance in one of the world`s most river-dependent nations.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to Environment, Forest, Climate Change and Water Resources, described the development as a historic milestone for Bangladesh.

"Given the growing challenges of climate change, population pressure and rising water demand, transboundary cooperation is more essential than ever," she stated. "This convention will support us in developing inclusive and effective water policies."

Bangladesh, a deltaic nation crisscrossed by the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system, shares 57 transboundary rivers with its neighbours. These shared water resources are vital for national water security, environmental stability and regional peace. With threats such as sea level rise, increasing salinity intrusion and a lack of proper sanitation for over 65 million people, sustainable and equitable water governance has become an urgent priority.

The UN Water Convention provides a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for the management of both surface and groundwater shared across national borders.

Bangladesh has been engaged with the convention process since 2012 and participated in its 10th meeting held in Slovenia in 2024.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on all member states to join and implement the convention, underscoring its importance in tackling global water challenges.

Bangladesh already has a number of bilateral agreements in place, including the Indo-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission and the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, as well as collaborative frameworks with Nepal, China and Bhutan.

Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), which hosts the convention, welcomed Bangladesh’s accession, calling it a "significant advancement for South Asia" in face of growing climate pressure.

Sonia Koeppl, Secretary of the UN Water Convention, congratulated Bangladesh and encouraged other South Asian countries to follow suit.

She reaffirmed the UN’s full support in the implementation process, especially in view of the next UN Water Conference to be held in the United Arab Emirates from December 2–4, 2026.