GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Article 5
Equitable and reasonable utilization and participation
1.Watercourse States shall in their respective territories utilize an international watercourse in an
equitable and reasonable manner. In particular, an international watercourse shall be used and developed
by watercourse States with a view to attaining optimal and sustainable utilization thereof and benefits
therefrom, taking into account the interests of the watercourse States concerned, consistent with
adequate protection of the watercourse.
2.Watercourse States shall participate in the use, development and protection of an interna tional
watercourse in an equitable and reasonable manner. Such participation includes both the right to utilize
the watercourse and the duty to cooperate in the protection and development thereof, as provided in the
present Convention.
5
Article 6
Factors relevant to equitable and reasonable utilization
1.Utilization of an international watercourse in an equitable and reasonable manner within the
meaning of article 5 requires taking into account all relevant factors and circumstances, including:
(a) Geographic, hydrographic, hydrological, climatic, ecological and other factors of a natural
character;
(b) The social and economic needs of the watercourse States concerned;
(c) The population dependent on the watercourse in each watercourse State;
(d) The effects of the use or uses of the watercourses in one watercourse State on other watercourse
States;
(e) Existing and potential uses of the watercourse;
(f) Conservation, protection, development and economy of use of the water resources of the
watercourse and the costs of measures taken to that effect;
(g) The availability of alternatives, of comparable value, to a particular planned or existing use.
2.In the application of article 5 or paragraph 1 of this article, watercourse States concerned shall,
when the need arises, enter into consultations in a spirit of cooperation.
3.The weight to be given to each factor is to be determined by its importance in comparison with
that of other relevant factors. In determining what is a reasonable and equitable use , all relevant factors
are to be considered together and a conclusion reached on the basis of the whole.