OKACOM and CI Renew Partnership for Freshwater Monitoring of the Basin

Gaborone, Botswana- OKACOM recently signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding with Conservation International (CI) which will define the pathway for collaboration on projects for monitoring, protecting and restoring ecosystem health  to support  the sustainable and equitable long-term provision of ecosystem services in the Cubango-Okavango River Basin (CORB). One of these  is the Freshwater Health Index (FHI) which has been a flagship collaboration between the two organisations. OKACOM’s Executive Secretary, Phera Ramoeli at the signing ceremony said “This MOU is important as an instrument that formalises the working relationships between OKACOM and CI in the CORB with a specific focus on River Health Index an assessment that is critical for the CORB as a highly sensitive ecosystem whose integrity has to be protected and conserved. We have been already collaborating with CI and this will now outline the specific areas and commitments by either party in advancing the environmentally sound management of the CORB.”

The agreement includes activities to inform decisions for participatory integrated water resource management for the CORB and provide a basis for regular reporting on the “State of the Basin”. Following the singing, key activities such as capacity building, stakeholder consultations to gather data on water governance and awareness raising will be implemented as part of the project objectives. “The MoU between OKACOM and CI solidifies the relationship between our two organisations and the cooperation which commenced in 2019. We look forward to our continued partnership and to the opportunities to further engage in project activities in such areas as freshwater and river basin management, natural capital accounting, climate change and biodiversity conservation in all three riparian states” said Ruud Jansen, Country Director for CI Botswana.

In highlighting the key synergies between CI and OKACOM, Phera Ramoeli commented that “CI has the requisite experience, interest and track record in contributing to the protection and conservation of ecosystems of international importance and OKACOM on the other hand has a mandate of managing one of the world still remaining near pristine river basin system the CORB.”