The Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources of Mozambique, Fernando Rafael, reiterated last Thursday (15) in Windhoek the importance of regional cooperation as a fundamental pillar for promoting climate resilience and sustainable development in the Zambezi River Basin..

The statement was made during the 12th Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Zambezi River Basin Commission (ZAMCOM), which brought together representatives of the eight riparian countries.

In his speech, the Mozambican ruler highlighted the country's commitment to the equitable and integrated management of shared water resources, valuing the progress already made in mobilizing funding for climate change adaptation and inclusive development projects.

Fernando Rafael pointed to the Program for Integrated Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Zambezi Watercourse (PIDACC-Zambeze) as one of the flagship initiatives underway, emphasizing its role in generating community resilience, sustainable employment and mitigating the effects of the cyclical floods and droughts that affect the region.

"The Mozambican government will continue to support these and other regional initiatives, hoping that they will be replicated and strengthened for the benefit of all member states," said the minister, stressing that multilateral cooperation is indispensable to guarantee peace, prosperity and water security.

The meeting took place under the rotating presidency of Namibia and included a review of the Strategic Plan for the Zambezi (PEZ 2018-2040), the launch of the Regional Nature, People and Climate Investment Plan - approved with initial funding of 60 million dollars from the Climate Investment Fund (CIF) - and the announcement of new funds to be mobilized by the African Development Bank and the World Bank.

The meeting included the presentation of the study project on increasing the basin's water storage capacity, financed by Swedfund to the tune of around 735 thousand dollars.

At the end of the meeting, Tanzania took over the presidency of the Council, succeeding Namibia.

Created in 2004, ZAMCOM is made up of the countries of the Zambezi basin - Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe - and its mission is to promote the sustainable management and reasonable use of water resources for the benefit of the millions of citizens who depend on this vital basin.

(Photo DR)