Overview
The apparently inexorable demand for natural resources in an increasingly overcrowded world is widely recognised as one of the most serious threats to the ecological and political stability of our planet. A large part of the problem stems from the fact that distribution of resources rarely coincides with the world's political boundaries, creating great tension between the need for effective management of resources as natural units and the desire of individual states to take full advantage of resources within their jurisdiction. The papers in this volume represent an important contribution to the debate about how natural resources which cross international boundaries can be managed as effectively and peacefully as possible. Four types of resource are considered: hydrocarbons and minerals, fisheries, shared water resources and the natural environment. Contributions from legal, diplomatic and technical experts covering a wide range of case studies from around the world examine the problems faced by governments and institutions and suggest ways in which progress can be made in this critical area. This collection represents the proceedings of the International Boundaries Research Unit's Third International Conference, The Peaceful Management of Transboundary Resources, which was held in Durham on 14–17 April 1994 and was attended by over 130 participants from 30 countries.