Successful International Cooperation in the Rhine Catchment Area

The international cooperation to control the water quality of the Rhine river is widely rated as successful. By the turn of the century the cooperation has resulted in a well-elaborated international regime. This article reviews the development of the Rhine regime. Explanations for this development are found in the policies of the downstream Dutch government, the activities of NGOs, the efforts of upstream riparian states, and in the activities of the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine. The gradual improvement of the water quality also helped the progressive regime development along.