The countries that share the Limpopo River Basin are coming together next month to discuss strategies for better managing this important water source. Representatives from Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe will attend the 10th River Basin Organisations and Shared Watercourse Institutions meeting from October 2nd to 4th in Maputo, Mozambique.
This annual gathering is organized by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in collaboration with the Limpopo Watercourse Commission (LIMCOM). They’ll have high-level discussions with technical support from the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA) around enhancing water resource management across the region.
At previous in-country meetings, the governments of the four Limpopo basin nations reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation on sustainably developing the river. LIMCOM said this shows growing ownership and support for their collaborative project.
The theme of this year’s hybrid meeting is “Promoting water security through inclusive transboundary conjunctive management and development of water resources.” The goal is to improve strategies for effective cross-border water planning, development, and governance while protecting the environment and building resilience.
By enhancing regional water security, these efforts aim to reduce poverty and spur greater economic productivity, integration, and industrialization. The gathering also supports SADC members in strengthening the institutions that oversee shared rivers and waterways.
Participants will share best practices, including for setting up early flood warning and decision support systems. Bringing together river commissions allows authorities to learn from each other’s experiences. Development partners from sectors like energy, food security, trade, and beyond will attend to help build consensus on the region’s strategic water priorities.
The Limpopo basin covers over 400,000 square kilometers across the four countries. It supports diverse activities and over 18 million people while hosting important protected areas. By continuing these cooperation discussions, the hope is to ensure sustainable and equitable management of this vital cross-border resource for years to come.
