Namibia is the first Southern African country, and 8th听country in Africa, to accede to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes ().
Namibia, which has a population of some 2.5 million people, shares all its perennial rivers with neighbouring countries听as well as several significant transboundary groundwater reserves.
As both a mid-stream and downstream country, transboundary water cooperation is crucial for Namibia and the region鈥檚 water security and sustainable socioeconomic development.
Namibia鈥檚 Minister for Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Mr. Calle Schlettwein stated: 鈥淭ransboundary water cooperation stands as the cornerstone of our nation's water听security, and I firmly believe that through this accession, Namibia will not only reap substantial benefits from its participation in this global legal framework but will also have the opportunity to engage with fellow members in promoting the principles of peace and equity in transboundary water sharing.
鈥淭he principles and regulations of the Water Convention harmoniously align with Namibia's policies on transboundary water cooperation and integrated water resources management, as we collaborate alongside other nations to safeguard and sustainably utilize our shared freshwater resources鈥�.
Transboundary water cooperation stands as the cornerstone of our nation's water听security, and I firmly believe that through this accession, Namibia will not only reap substantial benefits from its participation in this global legal framework but will also have the opportunity to engage with fellow members in promoting the principles of peace and equity in transboundary water sharing
UNECE Executive Secretary, Ms. Olga Algayerova, stated: 鈥淚 warmly congratulate Namibia on its accession to the UN Water Convention as called upon by the UN Secretary General to all UN Member States. As the first Party in Southern Africa, Namibia opens the door to more countries in the region joining this unique treaty to help address water challenges across national borders, which is especially crucial due to rising climate change impacts.听
The 1992 Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention), known as the UN Water Convention, whose secretariat is serviced by UNECE, is a unique global legal and intergovernmental framework.
It requires Parties to prevent, control and reduce negative impacts on water quality and quantity across borders, to use shared waters in a reasonable and equitable way, and to ensure their sustainable management through cooperation.
鈥淎fter听听and听鈥檚 accession earlier this year, this shows the relevance of the Water Convention as key means for supporting sustainable development and preventing conflict over shared waters,鈥� she added.
Following Namibia鈥檚 accession to the UN Water Convention on 8 June 2023, this step will help to consolidate the long-standing commitment to transboundary water cooperation in Southern Africa.
Namibia has ratified basin agreements and is a member state of basin organizations including: the Okavango-Cubango River Commission (OKACOM) shared with Angola and Botswana; the Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) shared with South Africa, Botswana and Lesotho); the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) with all other riparian states of Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe; and the Cuvelai Watercourse Commission (CUVECOM) with Angola. At a regional level, Namibia is a party to the 2000 Southern African Development Community鈥檚 (SADC) Revised Protocol on Shared Watercourses and to the 1997 UN Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses (Watercourses Convention).听
I warmly congratulate Namibia on its accession to the UN Water Convention as called upon by the UN Secretary General to all UN Member States. As the first party in Southern Africa, Namibia opens the door to more countries in the region joining this unique treaty to help address water challenges across national borders, which is especially crucial due to rising climate change impacts
At a regional level, Namibia is a party to the 2000 Southern African Development Community鈥檚 (SADC) Revised Protocol on Shared Watercourses and to the 1997 UN Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses (Watercourses Convention).
Namibia is one of only two countries in Africa to have all its transboundary freshwater bodies covered by operational management arrangements according to the national report submission for the 2nd monitoring exercise in 2020 of SDG Indicator 6.5.2, for which UNECE and UNESCO are co-custodian agencies. The third exercise is currently ongoing.
As听an effective global legal and intergovernmental framework and platform for cooperation and sustainable management of shared waters, including groundwater, accession to the Water Convention can enable support by the community of Parties, experience-sharing with basins and countries worldwide, facilitate access to financing and raise the country profile at the international level on transboundary water.
After听听and听鈥檚 accession earlier this year, this shows the relevance of the Water Convention as key means for supporting sustainable development and preventing conflict over shared waters
Namibia has just embarked on a two-year pilot听, which is a party to the Convention, to exchange experiences, build capacity and strengthen bilateral cooperation on transboundary water management. It is the first Twinning of its kind between the two countries.
Open to accession by all UN Member States since 1 March 2016, the Convention now counts听.
At present, more than 20 countries around the world are in the accession processes, predominantly from across Africa and Latin America. 153 countries worldwide share rivers, lakes and groundwater resources.
The UN Water Convention is serviced by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
