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Developments in the water sector

The Zambezi has eight riparian states and drains more than 75 percent of the region's basin flow. In recognition of the need for joint planning and development of the Zambezi basin, the riparian states prepared in the early eighties the Zambezi River Basin Action Plan (ZACPLAN).

This Plan came into force in 1987. The primary aim of the ZACPLAN was formulation of an integrated water resource management plan for the entire basin, based on sound management and sustainable development. In 1994, plans were announced to establish the Zambezi River Basin Commission (ZAMCOM) but technical negotiations to establish it have not progressed due to a number of problems.

One such problem was lack of funds. However, the key problem was the lack of an overarching regional framework on which the Commission could be established. As a result, the negotiations were temporarily halted as the Water Protocol was being developed.

The SADC Environment and Land Management Sector (SADC ELMS), based in Maseru, Lesotho was established in August 1987. SADC ELMS co-ordinated water resource management issues for the period 1987 up to 1996. Under its auspices, the SADC Protocol on Shared Watercourse Systems was negotiated and signed in 1995. This Protocol subsequently came into force in 1998, after the required ratification was done.

Noteworthy, this protocol is the first ever sector-specific legal instrument to be developed by SADC. This legal instrument creates the overarching framework for the management of the numerous shared basins in the region. It is important to note that the Protocol is based on:

• the Helsinki Rules on the use of international waters for non-navigational purposes;

• Dublin principles, which were adopted at Rio de Janeiro (Agenda 21) in 1992; and

• the provisions of Agenda 21 on environmentally sound management, sustainable development and equitable utilization of shared watercourse systems.

The Protocol filled the gap on international water law which up to then did not have adequate provisions to prevent nations from violating international shared water agreements. The realization of the importance and complexities of water resources management in the region and the critical role it plays in development led to the formation of the SADC Water Sector Co-ordinating Unit (SADC WSCU), based in Maseru, Lesotho, in August 1996. To be acknowledged for the choice, Lesotho and South Africa have the largest interbasin water transfer project in the region — the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. This project is a test case for regional efforts at water-sharing and maximizing the economic value of water.

The WSCU mandate is to promote the sustainable, integrated planning, development, utilization and management of water resources that contribute to the attainment of SADC's overall objectives of an integrated regional economy on the basis of balance, equity and mutual benefit for all member states. Its overall objective is to promote co-operation in all water matters for the sustainable and equitable development, utilization and management of water resources and contribute towards the improvement of the quality of life of the people of the region.

Within WSCU, the water resources technical committee (WRTC), originally established in 1995 under ELMS, was reconstituted. To assist the WRTC in its functions, four subcommittees were established: hydrogeology, surface water hydrology, aquatic weeds and water quality and water supply and sanitation.

To provide overall policy guidance, the sectoral Committee of Water Ministers supported by Committee of Senior Officials was established. A number of important developments have taken place both within the SADC region and on a global scale that preceded and followed the establishment of WSCU.

The trans-boundary nature of southern African rivers calls for international water management mechanisms. These have evolved into joint technical committees, river basin authorities and river basin commissions. Some of these authorities are: Okavango Commission (OKACOM), Orange – Sengu Commission (ORASECOM), Limpopo Basin Permanent Technical Committee (LBPTC), Permanent Technical Committee for Incomati, Maputo and Mbuluzi etc. SADC intends to set up more river basin commissions to oversee a co-ordinated and sustainable use of international shared waters.

The commissions work, in addition to the SADC Protocol, within the 1966 Helsinki Rules that serve as the basis for agreements between states for the purpose of allowing each state an equitable share of international water and to use water within its territory reasonably. The rules were updated in 1994 to include an obligation not to cause harm to another state. Institutions in SADC need to be strengthened for them to fulfill these obligations.

Noteworthy, in recognition of the new developments at international level with respect to water resource Page 4 management – in particular the United Convention on Water of 1997, under the auspices of WSCU, SADC successfully reviewed the SADC Protocol on Shared Watercourse Systems. The revised Protocol was signed 2000.

In 1994, as a follow-up to the Sub-Saharan Hydrological Assessment co-financed by the World Bank, UNDP, France, African Development Bank and the EU, the idea of World Hydrological Cycle Observing System (WHYCOS) for the SADC region was drawn up.

The SADC Hydrological Cycle Observation Systems Project (SADC HYCOS) was launched in 1997. The project initiated with EU support of US$2 million and established a data processing and dissemination unit in Department of Water Affairs and Forestry in Pretoria. Within this project 50 data collection platforms in 10 continental member states excluding South Africa, will be established. By 2001, over 40 stations had been installed, the Regional Centre established and regional system was functional.

In 1996, the Global Water Partnership (GWP) was launched to translate global consensus on principles for water management into responsive and coherent services member countries and organizations. The main objective the GWP is to assist in the interpretation of the principles water resources management.

In accordance with the requirements of GWP International, under the guidance of the SADC Water Sector, the Southern African Technical Advisory Committee (SATAC) formed in July 1998. The Committee comprises a pool experts on water and related fields. It assists the region addressing integrated water resources management. particular, the committee:

• facilitates the development of conceptual approaches for the operational implementation of the Dublin- principles in southern Africa;

• encourages and facilitates improved exchange experience by networking expertise within and outside the region; and

• provides professional and technical advice to implementation of integrated water resources management within SADC.

In May 1997 the SADC/EU conference in Maseru was focusing mainly on political, institutional and approaches to integrated water resources management exchange of ideas thereon. It was noted at the conference that some of the problems in the two regions with respect international waters were different (southern Africa's concern is on water scarcity while those of Europe include such issues as navigation, water quality and flood control).

The conference reconfirmed the fact that water is an area major co-operation between the two trading blocs. The of capacity development in water resources management within SADC was highlighted as a very important area co-operation. Out of this conference, the SADC Waternet Project under implementation with support from the Dutch government was initiated. Shortly after the Maseru Conference, SADC Water Sector decided to develop comprehensive action programme for the sector. Country situation reports on water resources management were prepared by all member states. Through a participatory approach involving input from all SADC member states, a Regional Strategic Action Plan for integrated Water Resources Development and Management for the period 1999 to 2004 was formulated in 1998. The main focus of the plan is to create an enabling environment for water resources management in the region in preparation for infrastructure investment. Interventions were identified related to:

• the legal and regulatory framework;

• institutional strengthening;

• sustainable development policies;

• information acquisition management and dissemination;

• education and training;

• public participation in water resources issues; and

• infrastructure development.

The plan identified 44 projects to address issues in the identified areas. A roundtable conference was convened in Geneva in December 1998, to promote policy dialogue between Cooperating Partners and SADC and mobilize resources to meet the region's long-term policies and strategies in water resource development and management based on the Regional Strategic Action Plan. Thirty–one projects in the Regional Strategic Action Plan were prioritized for implementation.

Following the Geneva Conference, the Water Strategy Reference Group (WSRG) was established in March 1999. The WSRG comprises the SADC Secretariat, Water Sector Coordinating Unit, UNDP, World Bank, GWP the African Development Bank, IUCN, USAID and SIDA.

The WSRG's task is to follow up on the implementation of the activities of the Regional Strategic Action Plan and act as a think-tank. This represents a long-term partnership between the Water Sector and its co-operating partners, an innovation worth emulating in other sectors.

As part of the preparations for the Second World Water Forum held in the Hague in March 2000, the GWP and its various regional structures supported the process of preparing the World Water Visions for Life and Water. The various regions prepared their respective visions for sustainable water management in the new millennium. In southern Africa, the SADC Water Sector in collaboration with GWPSATAC prepared the regional vision through very intensive consultations with stakeholders in the region. Regional and national meetings and workshops with various experts from government agencies, NGOs, donors, the private sector and regional bodies were held. The vision for southern Africa was finalized in 1999.

Southern Africa's water vision for the 21st century is “an equitable and sustainable utilization of water for social and environmental justice, regional integration and economic benefit for present and future generations.” Several sub-vision statements focusing on equitable social and economic development, equal access to quality water, sanitation, energy and food security, sustainable environment and integrated water resources management were also developed. The SADC Water Vision was presented to the World Water Forum and Ministerial Conference in The Hague in March 2000. Most delegates agreed that achieving water security requires cooperation between different water users and between those sharing river basins and aquifers. This has to be done within an environment that allows for the protection of vital eco-systems. Since the World Water Forum, SADC Water Sector together with GWP SATAC are preparing the framework for action for the region.