text: priority over other ~888. It was, however, streblsed on the one hand that the l2.w The text of draft article 24 as proposed by the Special Rapporteur read a8 followsr "PART V RELATIONSHIP TO NAVIGATIONAL USES AND ARSENCE OF PRIORITY AMONO USES 1. In thQ absence of agreement to the contrary, neither navigation nor any oLher use enjoys an inherent priority over other ~38s. 2. In the event that u6ea of an international watercourse [spstem] conflict, they shall be weighed along with other factors relevant to the particular watercourse in establishing equitable utilisation thereof in accordance with articles 6 and 7 of theee draft articles.”importance and significance of navigation for some watercourse States could not be underestimated and, on the other hand, that since the enormous growth in importance of alternative means of communications had relegated navigation on inland watercourses to a very secondary role ,except in rare instances, and in view of the scarcity of water, domestic and agricultural utilization would have to be given priority over other uses. In connection with the latter consideration, the remark was made that article 24 reflected the present position, but failed to look sufficiently to the problems of the future. It was also said that greater weight should be giren to certain factors, such as the health of the population and maintaining suitable water quality for domestic and agricultural uses, as well as the adverse effect of certain uses on the environment. 263. With regard to the wording of Baph &,several members asked why the Special Rapporteur simply referred to “use”, while article VI of the Helsinki rules oa the Uses of the Waters of International Rivers, adopted by the International Law Association in 1966, referred to a "use or category of uses". 264. Paracrravh 2 was generally supported as allowing for an equitable and
analysis: The text discusses the relationship between various uses of international watercourses, including navigation, domestic and agricultural utilization, and the maintenance of water quality. It highlights the importance of considering factors such as the health of the population, environmental impact, and future problems. The debate centers around the priority of uses and the need to balance competing interests.