The Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources said that the country is at the forefront of establishing a flood and drought forecasting and early warning system for the Limpopo, Save, Búzi and Pungué river basins, which will be based in Maputo.

Carlos Mesquita made this statement while opening the 4th Zambezi River Basin Multi-sector Stakeholder Forum and Exhibition, which is taking place in the country's capital from the 21st to the 23rd of this month, under the theme "building strong communities that are resilient to climate and economic shocks in the Zambezi Watercourse, through the promotion of inclusive transformative investments".

According to the minister, all four river basin commissions mentioned - through which Mozambique stands out in establishing early warning systems - have Strategic Action Plans, Data and Information Sharing Protocols.

"Thanks to a new warning forecasting system, the country is now able to detect potential dangers, take early action and minimize the impacts on people's lives and property," he stressed, calling on the river basin commissions to "operate in unison and use the synergies that exist between them and not operate in silos".

With regard to the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM), the head of the Public Works, Housing and Water Resources portfolio announced that it now has an investment program, the Program for Integrated Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Zambezi River Basin (PIDACC Zambezi), which contains investment projects in various water-related sectors, including agriculture, water supply, environmental management, as well as initiatives to protect and conserve water resources.

However, as he emphasized, the planning, financing and implementation of PIDACC Zambezi will require the full involvement and participation of all relevant sectors and stakeholders.

It should be noted that ZAMCOM's mission is to promote the equitable and reasonable use of the water resources of the Zambezi Watercourse, as well as its efficient management and sustainable development.

During the 4th forum, debates are planned on investments and the importance of continuously guaranteeing the implementation of inclusive projects and interventions in water resources. The event will be attended by representatives of member states of the Zambezi River basin, internationally shared river basin commissions, government institutions and other stakeholders who play an important role in this sector.