CRI听力:Stephen McCaffrey in international water law receives 2017 Stockholm Water Prize

American Professor Stephen McCaffrey has received the 2017 Stockholm Water Prize from the Swedish King during a grand ceremony at Stockholm City Hall.

Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf spoke at the ceremony. He said that water flows where it will and has no regard for national or regionally drawn boundaries. Beneficial hydrological, social, and economic linkages can be fostered among countries which share transboundary waters, with their equitable use promoting peace and development.

"Nearly 40 percent of the world's population lives in countries that share one or more river basins. This interstate share of water resources. He has shown that by diplomacy and effective law making, water can be shared peacefully becoming a catalysis for cooperation rather than conflict."

Dr Letitia Obeng, Member of the Stockholm Water Prize Nominating Committee, said Professor McCaffrey is an internationally respected pioneer in water law and in diplomacy. The award recognizes his "path-breaking leadership and legal scholarship in international water law."

"He has made a unique contribution in three specific areas: his seminal work on Treaty negotiation; his major scholarly works, including his book The Law of International Watercourses and his leadership providing expert legal advice, wise counsel, training and facilitation of complex negotiations with a wide range of stakeholders."

Professor McCaffrey had praise for the many other people who are dedicated to ensuring that people have access to fresh, clean water.

"I accept this very special award not only on my own behalf, but also on behalf of many women and men who work so hard in the field to ensure that fresh water can be brought to people in ways that do not strain international relations, but which in fact affirmatively produce win-win solutions for countries and people on the ground in accordance with law".

In an interview with CRI, McCaffrey stressed that cooperation is key for the future, and only with cooperation can people find good solutions to water-related issues.

McCaffrey, a distinguished Professor of Law at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, in Sacramento, California is the most respected authority on International Water Law. His work continues to influence scholars, legal practitioners and policy-makers and contribute to the sustainable and peaceful management of shared waters.

Professor McCaffrey has been acting as legal counsel to states in several negotiations concerning international watercourses. He has served as counsel in many inter-state disputes over shared water resources - for example between Argentina and Uruguay, Pakistan and India, and Slovakia and Hungary - which have been heard by international courts and tribunals.

It was he who proposed the human right to water which was later recognized by the UN General Embassy as a right in 2010. Additionally, he has provided critical insights, linking water law to policy, conflict resolution, benefit sharing, and environmental protection over the years.