The NBI experience illustrates the importance of using both technical information and informal processes to build trust among states, and the value of hvolving a variety of stakeholders in the dialogue. While the etforts of more than ten years have been significant, the most challenging issues remain unaddressed, namely reaching a consensus between all ten countries on new levels of water allocation based on changing needs and demands. The aim of the request was to help resolve tensions that were caused by uncertainty over the drivers of environmental change and implications for water availability. The study, released in 2005, helped identify the main phases of environmental change in the wetlands over the past 30 years together with the key drivers, tx>th natural and human-induced.