SOLUTIONS: Agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein. PHOTO: FILE
SOLUTIONS: Agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein. PHOTO: FILE

Transboundary water cooperation vital for Namibia

Minister proposes solutions to dire situation
Schlettwein says cooperation with other nations ensures the sustainable use of water for livelihoods.
Ellanie Smit
Transboundary water cooperation is vital for Namibia, says agriculture, water and land reform minister Calle Schlettwein.



This is because all the country’s perennial rivers and the two largest groundwater aquifers are transboundary.



Schlettwein was speaking as a panellist at the high-level special session, ‘Our Waters, Our Future: Transboundary Water Cooperation to Power Climate Resilience’, at the 10th session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Water Convention in Slovenia.



He said cooperation ensures the sustainable use of water for livelihoods, particularly for agriculture and food production, urban and rural water supply and sanitation, economic development, and ecosystem conservation.



“As a member of the shared river basin community, Namibia’s aim has always been to foster collaboration, support sustainable development and secure an equitable share of these essential water resources,” said Schlettwein.



He, however, noted that negotiating water rights can sometimes be difficult, especially when done in the absence of goodwill and under the influence of water scarcity and competition.



According to Schlettwein, Namibia and Angola offer a good example of effective collaboration on transboundary water management through various joint projects and agreements.



He highlighted that key initiatives include flood management in the Cuvelai-Etosha Basin, sustainable water use and environmental conservation efforts along the Okavango River, and the management of the Kunene River through the Calueque Dam and Ruacana Hydropower Station.



“Similarly, on the Orange-Senqu River, we continue to encourage communication and collaborative efforts in managing the impacts of drought, particularly as the river faces current low-flow levels,” said Schlettwein.



According to the minister, by acceding to the Water Convention, Namibia aimed to unlock new opportunities for enhanced rule-based cooperation in sub-Saharan Africa.



He said this framework, which already benefits European and some African countries, promotes conflict prevention and regional stability.



“We firmly believe that the Water Convention is one of the key international instruments that support the sustainable management of shared water resources, contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and fosters peace, security and regional integration.”



According to Schlettwein, since becoming a party to the Water Convention, Namibia has gained valuable insights, strengthened its role in regional and international water governance and deepened solidarity with neighbouring countries to collectively tackle climate change related water scarcity.



“We have benefited from tools that assist member countries with water allocation and financing River Basin Organisations,” he said.



With the 29th Conference of the Parties approaching from 11 to 22 November this year in Baku, Azerbaijan, parties to the Water Convention must prioritise and elevate the water agenda. This is in addition to the desperate need for funding the mitigation of the impact of climate change on the fresh water cycle, he added.

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-21

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