Zambezi River Basin

sector. However, there is no single focal point to manage the resource. The need to formalise the cooperative framework and further strengthen basin-wide cooperation remains a challenge. Among the policies and strategies for coordination and management is the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM), an agreement signed by most of the Zambezi Basin states in 2004. To date, seven of the eight Basin states have signed the agreement with the exception of Zambia, and six have ratified the agreement. The remaining states have shown commitment to speed up signing and/or ratification. Through the ZAMCOM Agreement, the riparian states of the Zambezi River Basin envisage working together to develop and manage the shared water resources of the vast basin. The agreement is designed to help the riparian states to unlock the potential of the Basin in contributing to the socio-economic development of the Basin states and the region as a whole. The Zambezi River Basin states have established the Interim Secretariat for the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (IZS) hosted by the Government of Botswana in Gaborone. The initial responsibility of the Secretariat is to coordinate and inform the riparian states of the expected steps needing their

support towards the realisation of the ZAMCOM agreement and its vital governance organs. The establishment of the IZS means that the riparian states of the Zambezi Basin have a forum through which they can deliberate and plan the efficient management and development of the river basin resources for the benefit of present and future generations. This Atlas supports initiatives of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) through the Africa Atlas of Our Changing Environment and the Africa Water Atlas, both UNEP-led initiatives, as stated in Decision 8 of the 12 th Session of AMCEN. The project is implemented by the Southern African Research and Documentation Centre (SARDC) through its environment institute, the I. Musokotwane Environment Resource Centre for Southern Africa (IMERCSA), in consultation with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Water Division, the Interim Secretariat of the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM), and Zambezi River Basin stakeholders. SARDC IMERCSA is the regional collaborating centre for southern Africa for UNEP under the Africa Environment Information Network (AEIN). Technical and financial support was provided by GRID-Arendal.

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