On 30th April 2008, a high-level gathering met in New Delhi to discuss the rivers of the Greater Himalayas. The objective was to increase understanding among stakeholders and decision makers about how the Himalayan rivers affect livelihoods in the Ganges–Brahmaputra basin. The common rivers flow into China, India, Bangladesh, Nepal Bhutan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Sharing this common source has the potential to heighten regional conflict. Participants agreed that all countries must manage transboundary rivers together to make the region water secure. The meeting also reviewed the potential consequences of climatic variability. The meeting was convened by the Chair of GWP-SAS, and was the first time that GWP-SAS formally played such a prominent role in this sensitive area.
