Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA recently made history as the first Southern African country to be accepted as a member of the United Nations (UN) Water Convention.
This historical milestone was announced by the Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, during the UN’s Water Action Agenda Special Event, which took place in New York, United States of America (USA), on Monday, 17 July.
Schlettwein explained that Namibia recognizes the importance of transboundary water cooperation in unlocking developmental opportunities because the country is heavily reliant on the perennial rivers shared with neighbouring countries and transboundary groundwater sources.
“Such mutually beneficial cooperation is an important ingredient to the continued peaceful co-existence and an anchor for the sustainable flow of benefits from water usage rights for all the riparian states,” he said.
The minister explained that although Namibia has concluded basin agreements for all transboundary rivers, the Water Convention is expected to reinforce cooperation and enhance synergies in the existing arrangements. He emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive set of global rules that address the utilization and management of shared water resources, as such regulations are crucial for promoting peaceful and science-based water solutions.
Schlettwein added that the country is also eager to engage and learn from other parties, especially with regards to joint monitoring and assessing transboundary waters; enhancing institutional mechanisms for transboundary water cooperation and hydro diplomacy; managing transboundary aquifers; conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), and how to use the Handbook on Water Allocation in transboundary river basins.
“I am pleased to announce that the learning process has already started with the twinning initiative with Finland under the Water Convention Twinning Initiative, which will enable us to exchange experiences and best practices with an experienced party. No doubt, this initiative will also facilitate the smooth transition into the Water Convention implementation,” the minister added.
