Stephen McCaffrey in international water law receives 2017 Stockholm Water Prize

By Xuefei Chen Axelsson

Stockholm, Aug. 31(Greenpost)–Professor Stephen McCaffrey received the 2017 Stockholm Water Prize on Wednesday, for his unparalleled contribution to the evolution and progressive realization of international water law.

The prize was presented to Stephen McCaffrey by H.M. Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, at a ceremony in Stockholm City Hall during the ongoing World Water Week.

 In its citation, the Stockholm Water Prize Nominating Committee recognized Professor McCaffrey’s “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.”

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. Today’s international lawyers stand on his shoulders”.

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 per cent of the world’s population lives in countries that share river basins. Increasing stress on water resources globally will require the reasonable and equitable use of transboundary waters. Improved management of transboundary waters reduces the potential for conflict, fosters socio-economic development, promotes shared benefits, and supports healthy ecosystems and services.

On receiving the Prize, Professor McCaffrey said: “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”.

Stephen McCaffrey, Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, in Sacramento, California, is the single 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.

In an interview with Greenpost.se, McCaffrey said the future lies on cooperation. Only through cooperation can people cope with water issues peacefully and can benefit from cooperation.

 

“Cooperation over shared waters is becoming increasingly important, as we witness higher demand coupled with growing scarcity. Stephen McCaffrey is a true inspiration for us in this area, as well as and an important guide, through his works and his wisdom”, said SIWI’s Executive Director Torgny Holmgren.

More about Professor Stephen McCaffrey

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.

He has guided, often multi-year negotiation processes among riparian countries with respect to transboundary water law, for example, on the Nile, Mekong, and Ganges, some with numerous countries involved.

In earlier writings, Professor McCaffrey articulated 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.

About Stockholm Water Prize

The Stockholm Water Prize is a global award founded in 1991 and presented annually by Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) to an individual, organization or institution for outstanding water-related achievements. H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden is patron of the prize.

Photo by Xuefei Chen Axelsson

欧华妇联总会主席 荷中商务文教交流协会会长熊国秀出席广东公共外交协会第二届会员大会成为第二届海外理事

北欧绿色邮报网报道(驻荷兰特约记者张卓辉)应广东政协 广东公共外交协会邀请,祖籍广东台山的欧化妇联总会主席,荷中商务文教交流协会会长暨欧洲华人华侨妇女联合总会会长熊国秀于2017年8月31日飞抵广州,出席广东政协直接领导的广东公共外交协会第二届会员大会,并应邀成为第二届海外理事。

目前,在海外五千多万华侨华人中,有五分之二以上为祖籍广东人。荷兰现时有华侨华人约15万人,其中粤籍华侨华人有6万多人,主要从事餐饮、贸易等行业。与会海外代表们都深深体会到广东政协各级领导一直以来支持海外侨胞为祖国建设、为居住国与中国的友谊建立友好往来的大力支持!大家都由衷感谢广东政协 广东省侨办 广东侨联及各地区政协、侨办、侨联!

广东省政协主席、广东公共外交协会会长王荣先生在大会上阐述了国家主席习近平主席对公共外交的高度重视和今后的指导方向,还亲自为包括荷兰在内的各国海外理事版发证书。早在2008年,经过广东省侨办推荐、广东省政协就将荷中商务文教交流协会会长熊国秀接纳为广东政协海外代表团队。她为祖国的发展、为中荷友谊 和与会代表一起加油,希望中国早日实现中国梦。

今日头条:浙江省委书记车俊率代表团在瑞典首都斯德哥尔摩亲切会见浙江安徽籍侨领

北欧绿色邮报网北欧中华网报道(报道员: 丑(曹)小姐、查正富)–斯德哥尔摩当地时间8月30日晩上10点,浙江省委书记、省人大常委会主任车俊率省代表团在结束对挪威的考察访问后,抵达瑞典首都斯德哥尔摩继续考察访问。

车俊书记一下飞机后,顾不上一路辛苦,就马不停蹄地奔赴下榻的喜来登大酒店,在中国驻瑞典王国全权大使桂从友的陪同下,亲切会见了在斯德哥尔摩市的浙江、安徽籍侨领代表。在会见大厅,车书记看到侨领们个个精神抖擞,满怀信心,感到十分高兴,与侨领们一一握手合影留念,与他们进行了充分交流。

在听取侨领代表们简短情况介绍后,车俊书记对浙、皖企业家们在瑞典创业发展取得的成绩给予了高度评价,对各位侨领的迎候表示感谢,并祝福他们在瑞典一切都好。车书记说,当前浙江全省上下按照习近平总书记对浙江发展的新要求,以“一带一路”统领新一轮对外开放,希望在瑞典的各位侨领在大使馆的领导下,要紧紧围绕国家的战略目标,借助海外的发展平台,继续秉持浙江精神,充分发挥各自的创业优势,抢抓机遇,积极作为,凝心聚力,多做对中瑞两国有利的社会事业,进一步促进浙江的对外开放,为浙江高水平全面建成小康社会作出更大的贡献。

侨领代表们激动地说,车书记亲自率团来瑞典看望我们,体现了浙江省委、省政府对海外浙商的高度重视,纷纷表示一定会在大使馆的领导下,积极响应国家号召,执行好省委的决策部署,进一步推进浙江与瑞典在商贸、教育、科技、文化等各方面交流合作,以丰硕的业绩和良好的形象,回馈省委对海外浙商的关怀。

斯德哥尔摩市是代表团此次考察访问瑞典的第一站,8月31日,代表团还将赴瑞典乌普萨拉(UPPSALA)省继续考察访问。

参加会见的有:浙江省侨商回归和引进工作瑞典联络处主任、瑞典瑞京华人协会会长柳少惠,瑞典工商联合总会会长王建荣、名誉会长柳伯品,全国人大代表、浙江省侨联副主席陈乃科,瑞典安徽科技商业协会会长段茂利、秘书长曹化新,瑞典青田同乡会会长叶克雄,瑞典华人总会执行会长叶沛群,瑞典工商联合总会第一常务副会长王俞力,国际时尚设计大师、瑞典文化年文化大使GALO,瑞典维京论坛主席刘晨,瑞典温州商会会长吴俊博,瑞典高尔夫球协会会长张巧伟,瑞典中国烹饪文化推广服务中心主任周岳酉,瑞典华人总会常务副主席伍王令,瑞典工商联合总会副会长夏海龙,中国侨联青年委员徐力,瑞典瑞京青年协会会长柳家俊,瑞典国际时尚设计师叶雷等20多位侨领代表。

编辑 陈雪霏