Helsinki Rules of 1966

  • The Helsinki Rules on the Uses of the Waters of International Rivers is an international guideline regulating how rivers and their connected groundwaters that cross national boundaries may be used
  • It was adopted by the International Law Association (ILA) in Helsinki, Finland in August 1966
  • It led to the creation of the United Nations’ Convention on the Law of Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses
  • It is applicable to all drainage basins that cross national boundaries, except where other agreement between bordering nations exists
  • In spite of its adoption by the ILA, there is no mechanism in place that enforces the rules
  • In 2004, it was superseded by the Berlin Rules on Water Resources

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