Cooperation through Trans-boundary Waters: Tanzania Experience Sylvester A. Matemu

Transcription

1 Tanzania & Other Riparian states are Cooperating to Harness Lake & River Basins Water Resources for Socio-economic Development Cooperation through Trans-boundary Waters: Tanzania Experience Sylvester A. Matemu Geneva, 2017

2 Outline Introduction Transboundary Water Resources of Tanzania Mechanisms for TWRM Existing Agreements Recent Development Songwe River Basin Convention Conclusion

3 Introduction The maps: - Location of the Country in Africa - Trans-boundary basins of Tanzania Tanzania part of three major trans-boundary River Basins in Africa

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6 Transboundary Water Resources of Tanzania Tanzania is riparian to three major transboundary rivers of Africa, namely: The Nile River, which drains into the Mediterranean Sea; (11 countries) The Congo River, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean;(10 countries) and The Zambezi River, which drains, into the Indian Ocean ( 8 countries).

7 TWRM IN TANZANIA Legal Frameworks available: - At National Level = National Water Policy(2002) and WRM Act, 2009 At Regional Level = Protocols, Conventions, Agreements and Memoranda

8 Mechanisms to facilitate TWRM in Tanzania Agreements Protocols Conventions Memoranda

9 Mechanisms for TWRM in Tanzania Meaningful progress in improving water resources management across jurisdictional boundaries requires effective mechanisms as a means of resolving disagreements, and an agreed means for implementing the decisions that are taken - one that facilitates the development of mutual trust... John Scanlon, 2007.

10 Existing Agreements Protocol for Sustainable Development of Lake Victoria Basin, 2003 Revised SADC Watercourses Protocol, 2000 The Convention on the Sustainable Management of Lake Tanganyika, 2003 The Agreement on the Establishment of the Zambezi Watercourse Commission Agreement, 2004

11 Existing Agreements The Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Water Commission, 2006 Ruvuma River Nile Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement, 2010 Convention on the Establishment of a Joint Songwe River Basin Commission between Tanzania and Malawi signed in May, 2017 Several Memoranda on specific TWRM issues (Rivers: Mara, Kagera, Songwe etc),

12 Recent Development on Songwe River Shared Waters Agreement The Convention on the Establishment of a Joint Songwe River Basin Commission between Tanzania and Malawi signed in May, 2017 It has 41 yrs History: From Project focus to Programme: - 3 Phases Songwe River Basin Development Programme (SRBDP)

13 Recent Development on Songwe River Agreement. The Convention Songwe River Under Ratification Parties target, by Dec Parties are committed towards the realization of the principle of ERU and that of SD. Regional Integration and poverty reduction. Foundation: In conformity with principles of UN Charter; SADC Water Protocol & IL; General Cooperation Agreement of 1991 between the Parties

14 Negotiation Process to Conclusion of the Convention Actors: - The two Governments - AfDB, AWF, NEPAD IPPF Challenges: - Funding to conduct governance meetings - Long process at National level to facilitate public participation: eg awareness creation and multi-stakeholder meetings at various levels: at National to Lowest level

15 Lessons & Future Plans Lessons: Good Political will, Transparency and mutual trust among Parties are key factors to conclude successful TWRM Agreements Tanzania and Malawi leadership deserve commendation for successful negotiation and conclusion of the Convention which is a noble undertaking of regional coopeartion

16 Lessons & Future Plans 2 Lessons: The coming of the United Nations as a Global Governance body (eg. UN Charter, 1997 UNWCC and UNECE Convention) has facilitated more riparian agreements Parties must negotiate as equal partners

17 Lessons & Future Plans 3 Future Plans: Establishment of the Songwe River Basin Commission to coordinate and implement the developmental aspects of the basin under the programme (mgnt. of assets such as dams, hydro power plants, irrigation systems and social infrastr.) Funds mobilization - USD 829M to implement already designed projects

18 CONCLUSION Development Partners that have been funding the preliminary stages of the bilateral projects under the programme deserve high recognition and should know that implementation is their end-line; The Songwe River Basin projects have enormous social and economic benefits, which will be a pride to all participating development partners and the two countries.

19 Thank you!