The Convention has not yet been ratified by the required 36 countries to come into force, although negotiations are on-going.6 It does not completely overlap with the Helsinki Convention, in particular there is no mention of the precautionary principle, polluter-pays principle or the inter-generational principle. It is also wider in scope, in that it focuses not only on pollution but also on the protection and preserve ecosystems in general, including the prevention of the introduction of alien or new species which could have a significantly harmful effect on the ecosystem. However, it contains a similar set of obligations on co-operation and on the day to day management of transboundary watercourses, including information exchange, notification of planned activities and crisis management.