The Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) held its 12th Ordinary meeting of the ZAMCOM Council of Ministers in Windhoek. At the meeting, the Council of Ministers reviewed the progress of ZAMCOM`s implementation, deliberated on key strategic and operational documents including the audited Financial statements for 2023/2024.The meeting also reflected on the implementation of decisions taken during the previous meeting held on 25th April 2024 in Tete, Mozambique.
During the meeting, Namibia`s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Inge Zaamwani stated that Namibia alongside the ZAMCOM member states, remains resolutely committed to the sustainable and equitable management of the Zambezi River Basin.
Established in 2014, ZAMCOM strives to promote the equitable and reasonable utilization of the water resources of the Zambezi Watercourse, as well as the efficient management and sustainable development thereof. It currently brings together eight Riparian states of the Zambezi River Basin: Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Inge also highlighted that although there is good progress collectively and individual milestones achieved by ZAMCOM member states towards sustainable and equitable utilisation of the shared water resources, more still needs to be done in safeguarding the rights of all persons. This includes the right to movement, and utilising shared resources, sustaining livelihoods, and the sacred protection of people`s lives that share the Zambezi River Basin and its resources across the eight Riparian states.
Namibia is one of the driest country south of the Sahara and all its perennial rivers are shared, while its internal rivers are ephemeral. The Zambezi River Basin with its richness in water, land, forest, and biodiversity remains vital to the livelihoods of the Namibian people particularly in the north-eastern regions.
In her closing remarks, Inge encouraged unity and cooperation among member states.
“It is vital that no member states undertakes water resource development projects in isolation or without adequate consultation and consensus with fellow Riparian states, to enable the intendent condition & remedies, but also to identify opportunities for joint planning, development, and fostering trust. The principle of prior notification and cooperative planning must remain the foundation of our shared water governance”, she stated.
