By Nalori Chakma, South Asia Senior Programme Coordinator, Transboundary Rivers of South Asia The history of dams is riddled with tragic stories of displacement and blatant disregard for Indigenous groups, and the Jumma Peoples are no exception to that. Under the direction of United States and Pakistani government officials, the Kaptai Dam was built in...| International Rivers
In an open statement to ASEAN leaders as they gather in Bangkok for the 34th ASEAN Summit, 110 community and civil society organisations and networks have urged ASEAN to respect people’s rights and livelihoods. Noting that ASEAN economic integration has prioritised the interests of investors with little regard to the negative impacts on people’s territories, livelihoods...| International Rivers
After 16 years of a fight led mainly by women activists, Mexican communities halted the Zapotillo Dam System, stopping the project of flooding their ancestral lands. For the past 16 years, three small Mexican communities – Temacapulin, Palmarejo and Acasico in Jalisco State- have been struggling against construction of the Zapotillo Dam System, a megaproject...| International Rivers
By: Josh Klemm, Co-Executive Director of International Rivers Earlier this month, I had the chance to attend the fourth annual Finance in Common (FIC) Summit in Cartagena, Colombia. A relatively new phenomenon, the Summit brought together over 500 public development banks from all over the world who together represent tens of billions of dollars in...| International Rivers
Asia| International Rivers
After conducting an extensive study, Colombian Constitutional Court ruled to protect the fundamental rights of Anchichayá Dam affected communties Final judgment will be released no later than September 2023. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 21, 2023 MEDIA CONTACTS: Silvano Caicedo, President of la Organizacion Etnico-territorial ONUIRA silvanocaicedo1966@outlook.es (Spanish) Benjamin Mosquera, Consejo Comunitario Mayor of the Anchicayá River, bmr1173@gmail.com (Spanish)...| International Rivers
By Hydro Empowerment Network (HPNET) Originally published on HPNet’s website The river basins of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Meghna, and Salween (GBMS) Rivers are endowed with rich natural resources, exceptional biodiversity, and vibrant indigenous cultures. Yet social and environmental well-being continue to be undermined by large hydro development, as decision makers seek economic prosperity and economic...| International Rivers
Mexico City, 28 of October, 2022 – After three days of events, the Cumbre Madre Tierra 2022 has come to an end. On its last day, the event deepened the themes of Social Justice and food sovereignty based on their inherent rights. Dr. Fernando de La Fuente of Ibero University, reminded us about the importance...| International Rivers
By Vitória Leopoldina Gomes Mendes, a lawyer specializing in environmental law and member of Coalizão Pelos Rios Portuguese version here. With the impacts of climate change increasing, the law has been a great ally in the protection of natural systems worldwide. My role as a lawyer in the Coalizão Pelos Rios (Coalition for Rivers), a...| International Rivers
Evento mensal do Fórum Brasileiro de ONGs e Movimentos Sociais para o Meio Ambiente e Desenvolvimento acontecerá na segunda-feira (13) e abordará tema de águas, sustentabilidade e direitos. Na próxima segunda-feira (13), às 19h, a International Rivers participará do encontro mensal do Fórum Brasileiro de ONGs e Movimentos Sociais para o Meio Ambiente e Desenvolvimento...| International Rivers
2º Fórum Brasileiro dos Direitos da Natureza será realizado em Ilhéus, na Bahia, entre os dias 6 e 7 de outubro de 2023. Inscrições são gratuitas. Brasil, 04 de setembro de 2023 – Entre os dias 6 e 7 de outubro de 2023, a cidade de Ilhéus, na Bahia, será palco do 2º Fórum Brasileiro...| International Rivers
International Rivers is pleased to launch a five-part animated series designed to inform, engage, and provide tools for communities, policymakers, and advocates on the urgent issues facing the Guinea’s river systems. Guinea, known as West Africa’s “water tower,” receives the region’s highest rainfall and is the source of major rivers such as the Niger, Senegal,... The post Animation Series on Adverse Impacts of Hydropower projects on the Guinea’s river systems appeared first on In...| International Rivers
By Maureen Harris, Senior Advisor at International Rivers In our work around the world, International Rivers partners with people on the frontlines of ecological crisis, defending rivers, ecosystems, communities, and ways of life from destruction. For many we work with, their efforts are also a struggle for their own human rights and survival and that of...| International Rivers
After a 15-year delay, the environmental licensing process for the Tabajara Hydroelectric Plant has been cancelled, effectively ending the project. On June 30, 2025, Brazil’s environmental regulator, IBAMA, definitively archived the project, proposed on the Machado River in Rondonia, after the developer Eletronorte failed to submit the required studies for over two years. International Rivers... The post Communities in Brazil Halt Controversial Tabajara Hydropower Plant appeared first on ...| International Rivers
By Kamila Sampaio, Johnson Portela, and Alice Matos from Movimento Tapajos Vivo. The Tapajós River basin connects Brazil’s two largest biomes: the Amazon and the Cerrado. It is one of the country’s last major free-flowing water corridors, covering an area of 489,000 square kilometers. The river originates in the state of Mato Grosso from the... The post Tapajós river basin and the right to water: the struggle of the Tapajós Vivo Movement for the life of the river and its territories ap...| International Rivers
International Rivers’ analysis of challenges facing communities in Brazil offers innovative solutions for protecting nature and human rights. Version in Portuguese follows below. July 28, 2025, Brasília, Brazil–In the wake of Brazil’s Congress passing the “Devastation Bill,” which would dismantle critical components of the country’s National Environmental Policy and rollback decades of environmental safeguards protecting... The post New Study Outlines Groundbreaking Legal Protect...| International Rivers
Deep in Brazil’s Amazon flows the vast Tapajós River basin—a network of sacred waterways that Indigenous peoples call the “River of Life.” This massive watershed, spanning 493.000 square kilometers across three states, includes the clearwater Tapajós River itself alongside major tributaries like the Teles Pires, Juruena, and Jamanxim rivers, plus the blackwater Arapiuns River, which... The post The Tapajós at the Crossroads: Brazil’s Test Case for River Rights. appeared first ...| International Rivers
International Rivers celebrates the historic advisory opinion delivered by the International Court of Justice on the obligations of states concerning climate change. This landmark ruling marks a pivotal moment in international environmental law and climate justice, affirming the urgent and existential threat posed by climate change and underscoring states’ legal duties to protect the environment,... The post International Rivers’ statement on the International Court of Justice Ruling appe...| International Rivers
Demystifying the Financiers Behind Mega-Dams By Siziwe Mota – Africa Program Director In late June, the city of Kinshasa became the center of critical reflection and strategy for African civil society organizations and community representatives opposing the high costs of large hydropower projects. Hosted by International Rivers, a two-day workshop brought together NGO and community... The post Uniting Against Mega-Dams: Civil Society Mobilizes in Kinshasa appeared first on International Riv...| International Rivers
On June 3, 2025, the World Bank approved $250 million funding for the Inga 3 Dam, a mega hydropower project on the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). At International Rivers, we believe that healthy rivers and empowered communities are essential to building a just, climate-resilient future, and we support Congolese community... The post DRC and African civil society sign on to a statement calling on the World Bank to reconsider $250 million initial financing for the Inga...| International Rivers
International Rivers expresses its profound concern over yesterday’s passage of Bill 2159/21 in the Brazilian Congress, which guts key, longstanding procedures for environmental licensing. If signed into law by President Lula, this legislation would undo decades of progress that has been instrumental in limiting the environmental and social harms from extractive projects and infrastructure projects...| International Rivers
By Flávio Montiel, Manager, Brazil Program Text in Portuguese follows below Every visit to Santarém, along the banks of the Tapajós River, stirs deep memories. For over 14 years, International Rivers has worked with local organizations to defend rivers and community rights in the Tapajós Basin, one of the Amazon’s most biodiverse regions. This commitment was...| International Rivers
The Tapajós River, a lifeline in Brazil’s Amazon basin, has reached historically low levels this year amid an unprecedented drought. The urgent situation made the National Water and Sanitation Agency (ANA) declare a water scarcity emergency for the river’s lower stretch, from Itaituba to Santarém cities, marking the first time the agency has issued such...| International Rivers
International Rivers is working with frontline communities to explore legal protections for the Tapajos and Arapiuns rivers.| International Rivers
Banks and developers are the main benefit from hydropower. Communities are urging the World Bank to prioritize people over profits.| International Rivers
By Pai Deetes, Phairin Sohsai and Tanya Lee Roberts-Davis On December 17th, Thailand’s Office of National Water Resources (ONWR), in its role as the secretariat of Thai National Mekong Commission (TNMC), announced that it intends to proceed with the implementation of the Prior Consultation (PC) process for the proposed Sanakham Hydropower Project in accordance with...| International Rivers
Por Vitória Leopoldina Gomes Mendes, advogada especialista em direito ambiental e membro da Coalizão Pelos Rios English here. Diante de um cenário em que as mudanças climáticas cada vez mais são sentidas, a lei vêm sendo grande aliada na proteção dos sistemas naturais no mundo todo. Meu papel como advogada na Coalizão Pelos Rios, grupo...| International Rivers
Atividade organizada pela Coalizão Pelos Rios acontece dia 22 de junho, em Brasília, e faz parte da programação da Virada Parlamentar Sustentável, evento que mobiliza o Congresso Nacional nas pautas socioambientais ao longo do mês de junho. Brasília, 13 de junho de 2023 – Os impactos socioambientais dos rios e a sua importância para população...| International Rivers
Held before the Amazon Summit, ‘Amazon Dialogues’ will bring together government agencies and civil society organizations to guide the formulation of new strategies for the future of the Amazon. These discussion outcomes will be presented to the leaders of the Amazon countries later in August in Belém. Portuguese version here. International Rivers will bring our...| International Rivers
For nearly three decades, International Rivers has been at the forefront of research and communications on issues surrounding large dams and their impact on rivers and communities. Here you’ll find a library of our latest reports and publications, factsheets, multimedia resources, and tools for activists. Ranging from videos to analytical reports, these collected resources will...| International Rivers
Community Rights| International Rivers
Originally published in Alternet by Josh Klemm and Eugene Simonov Not only does hydroelectric power fail to prevent catastrophic climate change, but it also renders countries more vulnerable to climate change while emitting significant amounts of methane, one of the worst greenhouse gases. A river is a spectacular living corridor that feeds forests, fisheries, coastal ecosystems, and...| International Rivers
By Rin Sohsai In early October, the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRC) sent a letter to Thailand’s Prime Minister expressing serious concerns about the plans for four more hydropower projects to be built on the mainstream of the Mekong River near the Thai-Lao territorial border— namely, the Sanakham, Pak Chom, Ban Kum and...| International Rivers
International Rivers expresses its profound concerns over the announcement that Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) has entered into an agreement with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to develop the Grand Inga project for hydrogen production. As noted by concerned observers in DRC, the FMG deal bypasses key procedural requirements to ensure that...| International Rivers
Français below English, French and Portuguese versions of the guide can be found in the Safeguards and Standards section of the Capacity Building Tool Resources page. Development projects such as dams, roads, power plants, and mines can displace communities and damage the land and rivers that they need for their livelihoods. Over the past decades,...| International Rivers
By Aqeelah Hassen, Africa Program Communications and Campaigner International Rivers, Natural Justice, Himba community committee members and two researchers from the Kunene region convened in Windhoek, Namibia for the second Community Protocol workshop last August. The workshop started with a recap of the purpose of the Community Protocol and then focused on preparing committee members...| International Rivers
Community Rights| International Rivers
by Pianporn Deetes, Regional Campaigns Director, Southeast Asia Program October 18, 2023 – Over 80 people gathered at the Chiang Mai Administrative Court in Thailand today to mark the filing of a lawsuit against the Yuam/Salween Water Diversion Project. The lawsuit challenges the legitimacy of the project and the project’s environmental impact assessment (EIA), which...| International Rivers
Tribal and conservation advocates celebrate as river is returned to historic channel; restoration activities to continue for several more years FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 28, 2024 CONTACT Ren Brownell, ren@klamathrenewal.org, KRRC PIO, 530-598-8255Craig Tucker, craig@suitsandsigns.com, Consultant for the Karuk Tribe 916-207-8294Matt Mais, mmais@yuroktribe.nsn.us, PR Director for the Yurok Tribe 707-954-0976 Klamath River Renewal Corporation • Karuk Tribe • Yurok Tribe • Amer...| International Rivers
Amazon| International Rivers
Ensuring River Basin Connectivity| International Rivers
By: Pianporn Deetes, Thailand and Myanmar Campaigns Director This article originally appeared in The Bangkok Post. A year ago, the cabinet issued a resolution recognising an obligation to protect human rights in Thai outbound investments. With Thai companies increasing their operations in neighbouring countries in sectors that carry significant risks for human rights and the environment, further…| International Rivers
Asia| International Rivers
Events| International Rivers
by Sherelee Odayar, Senior Programme Officer, Standing with Communities, Natural Justice The Process of developing the Biocultural Community Protocol of the OvaHerero of the Kaokoland in Namibia and Angola For centuries, Indigenous peoples have depended on the natural environment to sustain their livelihoods. Knowledge of plants and animals, as well as the performance of certain...| International Rivers
A new in-depth report about Vietnam’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) was released in June 2024, outlining the problems with the financing, governance, energy solutions, and participation necessary to achieve a truly just transition. The report, ‘The Missing “Just” in Vietnam’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP),’ [MOU1] examines Vietnam’s transition away from coal-based energy from...| International Rivers
Fighting False Solutions| International Rivers
On August 20, 2024, the world witnessed another major landslide that badly damaged a hydropower project in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem along the river Teesta. This latest landslide caused major destruction of the 510 MW NHPC Teesta-V hydropower power station in Sikkim, India. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported but the region is still reeling...| International Rivers
Event Name: Vietnam’s Unjust Energy Transition Event Time: Thursday, September 26th at 1 – 2pm Eastern Time Event Hosts: 350.org and Vietnam Climate Defenders Coalition Event Location: Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square, New York, NY 10012 and online. (Please note: Pre-registration is not required for in-person attendance). Speakers Welcome from Obama Leaders Network, representative...| International Rivers
By Rin Sohsai and Tanya Lee Roberts-Davis. Originally published in the Bangkok Tribune. Opinion piece highlights are below. In the coming months, Thailand’s updated draft Power Development Plan (PDP 2024-2037) is due to be submitted to the Cabinet for approval. This master plan underwent limited online public hearings in mid-June. Yet to date, the text...| International Rivers
Climate Justice| International Rivers
Poor financing and governance, suppression of activists put energy future at risk Opinion Editorial by Maureen Harris and Liangyi Chang originally published in Nikkei Asia. Below are highlights Relying heavily on coal, Vietnam is considered one of the fastest-growing per capita greenhouse gas emitters in the world, with emissions quadrupling between 2000 and 2015. It...| International Rivers
Congo| International Rivers
Congo| International Rivers
By Genny Ngende, Senior Campaign Coordinator, Africa Program Introduction The Africa Program works in partnership with a local organization in Guinea, Centre du Commerce International pour le Développement (CECIDE). Individually and collectively, we conduct research, engage with government and economic actors, publish reports and organize workshops for communities adversely impacted by hydropower projects. It is...| International Rivers
by Pai Deetes, Phairin Sohsai and Tanya L. Roberts Davis Today, International Rivers is releasing a map illustrating sites of struggle along the Mekong River where communities and allied civil society groups have been able to hold their ground —significantly delaying the planned development of destructive hydropower dams — and sacrifice zones where the build...| International Rivers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 17, 2024 MEDIA CONTACT: maia@ripplestrategies.com Report Released One Week Prior to Anniversary of Climate Leader Mr. Dang Dinh Bach’s Imprisonment for Speaking Out Against Coal A new in-depth report about Vietnam’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) was released today, outlining the problems with the financing, governance, energy solutions, and participation necessary...| International Rivers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 12, 2024 Karipetua Uarije, representative of the OvaHerero Biocultural Community Protocol Custodian Committee, kuarije@yahoo.com Natasha Prince, Natural Justice, natasha@naturaljustice.org Siziwe Mota, International Rivers, smota@internationalrivers.org Opuwo, Namibia – The first written Biocultural Community Protocol (BCP) of the OvaHerero peoples of the Kaokoland in Namibia and Angola, capturing their history, cultural practices, and traditions,...| International Rivers
Amazon| International Rivers
***Français ci-dessous*** International Rivers’ Africa Program is excited to launch an animated community education series on the Congo River Basin. This animated series aims to provide easily digestible information for riverine and hydropower dam-affected communities. It covers the basics of river basin ecology, hydroelectric dams and their impacts, as well as community rights and renewable...| International Rivers