Territorial cohesion

The strategic importance of cross-border watercourses highlighted in a joint report by the IGA and IGEDD

July 2025

On 2 June 2025, the General Inspectorate for the Environment and Sustainable Development (IGEDD) and the General Inspectorate of the Administration (IGA) published a major report on river comitology in France. Entitled ‘International river comitology in mainland France: current situation and new strategies’, it highlights the growing importance of cross-border rivers (with an entire chapter dedicated to this topic (1.1.2)), at the crossroads of diplomatic, environmental and economic issues, and recommends an increased role for the MOT.

Given the complexity of international legal frameworks and the proliferation of governance bodies, the report provides a detailed overview of river comitology, while emphasising the urgent need to strengthen cooperation between the various levels of stakeholders.

A role for the MOT?

In this context, the role of the MOT is highlighted: the report makes specific recommendations (chapter 3.2.4) for better integration of the MOT within international bodies, in order to capitalise on its expertise and promote more consistent and effective management of shared waterways.