Embracing Global Water Conventions: A Pathway to Sustainable Development in Zimbabwe
19 June 2024
Zimbabwe’s initiative to accede to the Water Convention aligns seamlessly with these global investment pathways.
In the realm of recurrent droughts such as the current severe El Nino induced drought in the Southern Africa including Zimbabwe, climate change, and global environmental sustainability, the importance of water cannot be overstated.
The national workshop on Zimbabwe's accession process to the UN Global Water Conventions, held on 17-18 June 2024, marks a pivotal step for the nation.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Zimbabwe, Mr. Edward Kallon highlighted, at the opening of the event, on the vital role of water conventions and explained the broader message for revamped international cooperation aligned to the upcoming Summit of the Future and on accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Summit of the Future provides a crucial global platform to articulate the necessity of concerted, unified efforts to tackle global challenges. Central to this message is the concept of the "Six Transitions as Investment Pathways to Accelerate Progress on SDGs."
These transitions span across various sectors, including climate action, digital transformation, and, significantly, sustainable water management in ensuring renewable energy and food and nutrition security.
Zimbabwe’s initiative to accede to the Water Convention aligns seamlessly with these global investment pathways. Accession to the Water Convention is not merely administrative step but an essential move towards sustainable and collaborative water management.
Mr. Kallon said, “the Water Convention aims to protect and ensure the sustainable use of transboundary watercourses, enhancing cooperation and preventing conflicts over shared water resources”.
Zimbabwe's geography, sharing watercourses and an international lake with neighboring countries, underscores the imperative of robust transboundary water cooperation for the nation.
The collective benefits of accession to the Water Convention are multifaceted. It facilitates the sharing of experiences and knowledge among UN Member States, enhances access to financing, and elevates Zimbabwe’s international profile around transboundary waters.
Moreover, it represents a commitment to international norms and bolsters regional stability by preventing potential water-related conflicts. Notably, Zimbabwe's commitment to transboundary water cooperation is already yielding positive outcomes.
The impressive progress reported towards achieving SDG indicator, with the percentage of shared waters covered by an agreement rising from 69.90% in 2020 to 90.4% in 2023, is commendable. This trajectory underscores the country’s dedication to improving water management practices and fulfilling its obligations under international frameworks.
However, the journey towards complete sustainability demands ongoing efforts. The call for 100% coverage of shared waters by agreements and institutional arrangements reiterates that sustainable water management is an evolving process.
The partnerships and projects for example led by UNESCO, FAO, and other UN agencies in Zimbabwe reflect a holistic approach to addressing both natural and man-made challenges impacting water resources.
The broader vision encapsulated in the Summit of the Future and the Six Transitions is mirrored in the specific actions Zimbabwe is undertaking.
Initiatives such as the BuPuSa Community Resilience project and the Limpopo Basin Transboundary River Basin Management project highlight the interconnectedness between water management and broader goals such as climate resilience and sustainable agriculture.
The Government of Zimbabwe’s steps towards acceding to the UN global water conventions are emblematic of its commitment to sustainable development and regional cooperation. This workshop serves as a beacon of progress, demonstrating how national actions can align with global investment pathways to accelerate achievement of the SDGs.
As the UN continues to support these endeavors, the spirit of collaboration and resilience will undoubtedly pave the way for a more sustainable and secure future for Zimbabwe and its neighbors.
Written by
Sirak Gebrehiwot
RCO
Communications, Partnerships and Development Finance Advisor