Protecting rivers and defending the rights of the communities that depend on them

Day of Action for Rivers! March 14, 2023

SAVE THE DATE: Join people worldwide on March 14th for the 26th international #DayofActionforRivers!

Register your event: intlrv.rs/DoASignUp

Let’s celebrate life-sustaining #freshwater and #ProtectRivers

More info: intlrv.rs/DoA

#RiversUniteUs #RiverDefenders

Our Rivers, Our Water Future

Since 1985, International Rivers has been at the heart of the global movement to ensure river-dependent communities’ voices are heard and their rights are respected.

Our Approach

Rivers are the arteries of the earth, supporting the highest rate of biodiversity compared to any other ecosystem and providing for the livelihoods of millions of local, indigenous and traditional peoples. Rivers are also under extreme threat, with less than 10% of the world’s river basins protected.

International Rivers strengthens movements of communities and civil society at the forefront of defending rivers by:

  • Undertaking investigative research to generate robust data and evidence to inform policies and campaigns.
  • Remaining independent and fearless in campaigning to expose and resist destructive projects.
  • Developing a vision that protects rivers and the communities that depend upon them. 

See how we work ›

Our Impact

0 Number of community groups, movements, and civil society organizations we have partnered with to provide campaign and advocacy support.
0 Destructive river projects delayed or stopped, resulting in millions of people retaining access to their traditional lands and livelihoods.
$ 0 B Funds (USD) channeled away from investment in destructive projects, toward sustainable and just alternatives.
Explore Our Priority Areas

Latest News

Centering Rights of Rivers and Human Rights at the UN Water Conference

Centering Rights of Rivers and Human Rights at the UN Water Conference

International Rivers joins coalition and local partners at the 2023 UN Water Conference this week in New York City. This year’s conference is the “Midterm Comprehensive Review of the implementation of the UN Decade for Action Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018 – 2028”, marking the midpoint of the latest 10-year Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on…

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Free-flowing Salween River needs protection

Free-flowing Salween River needs protection

Originally posted in the Bangkok Post By Pianporn (Pai) Deetes, Thailand and Myanmar Campaigns Director of International Rivers This morning at Sob Moei — the confluence of the Moei and the Salween rivers on the Thailand-Myanmar border — indigenous peoples and their supporters are attending a spiritual ceremony to express their collective stance to protect…

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