Water IQC, Integrated Water and Coastal Resources Management

SHORT COURSE ON MANAGEMENT OF TRANSBOUNDARY WATER RESOURCES

Background

Southern Africa is characterized by numerous international river basins and transboundary ecosystems. The region has recognized that because these rivers and water courses are a shared resource, their management must also be a shared endeavor amongst the riparian countries. The objective of sustainable water management is set forth in the SADC protocol on Shared Watercourse Systems, as well as in most of the national and regional development plans dealing with water. Achieving sustainable water management requires that the riparian countries collaborate in the management process within a regionally sanctioned integrated framework. The management of international river basins, however, is a complicated process requiring a range of skills. Regional water managers and stakeholders have acknowledged this complexity and through a series of meetings, workshops, and studies have identified specific training needs which are essential to moving this process forward.

This week-long overview short course is the first in a series of modular training courses developed and offered by the USAID Regional Center for Southern Africa (RCSA) in combination with and in response to the extreme interest expressed by the SADC water sector. It provides a survey and study of transboundary water resources and environmental issues relevant to the SADC region and provides the participants with additional tools and skills to participate in the transboundary discourse process more effectively and equitably. This overview short course is designed for senior water officials from throughout the SADC region. Subsequent modules of this training program will be two-weeks each and will be designed for mid-level managers who are able to invest more time in training. Topics include the following courses: International Water Law; Ecological Considerations in Water Resources Management; Demand Management; and Conflict Resolution in Water Resources Management.

The focus of the RCSA's new SO3 is improved management of shared natural resources, with an intermediate result targeted on selected training and management institutions strengthened. The Center's proposed activities aimed at improved management of transboundary water resources and conservation areas fill a gap in the region's need for equitable and efficient management of its resources, including its waters. Some seventy percent of the region's surface water flows in basins shared by two or more countries. USAID's investment in training and capacity building in management of water resources would level the playing field in the region by providing skills particularly to water managers in countries which are now unable to participate in international river basin management processes with the same knowledge and ability as are other countries. This training program, because of its regional focus, is outside the scope of the bilateral Missions.