OKACOM to Celebrate 30 Years of Existence

The Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM) will celebrate 30 years of progressive existence since it was established by the governments of Angola, Botswana and Namibia under the OKACOM Agreement in 1994. The celebrations will take place in September 2024 in Luanda, Angola and will be done after the Okavango Basin Steering Committee (OBSC) meeting scheduled to take place then. The 30 years signal OKACOM's pearl anniversary and will be held under the theme “Angola, Botswana, and Namibia Celebrating 30 Years of promoting sustainable development in the Cubango-Okavango River Basin through OKACOM”.

The River Basin Organization was established with the mandate to advise the three Member States on the conservation, development and sustainable utilisation of water resources in the 700,000 km² transboundary Cubango-Okavango River Basin. For the past 18 years of its 30 years existence   OKACOM has worked through its Secretariat (OKASEC), based in Gaborone, Botswana to promote and support the opening of pathways to improved livelihoods while conserving the natural resources in the CORB. With the guidance of Members States through the OBSC, the Council of Commissioners and the Forum of Ministers, with the funding and support from International Cooperating Partners (ICPs) the work has greatly contributed to economic development of the three riparian states and has promoted integrated transboundary management of the CORB.

“The purpose of these celebrations is to honour the Member States' thirty-year efforts to guarantee that the river basin is used  with cooperation, harmony and mutual understanding. It is thought appropriate and desirable to commemorate the achievements and lessons that have been realized over the years” said Phera Ramoeli, the OKACOM Executive Secretary. The event which is hosted in conjunction with the Angola Ministry of Energy and Water (MINEA) will be honoured with dignitaries such as the Ministers responsible for Water from all 3 Member States and offer an exciting programme including a high level panel discussion, keynote address and most notably the signing of the Revised OKACOM Agreement by the three riparian states. “The event is viewed as a chance for OKACOM stakeholders to consider the successes, challenges, and lessons learned overtime  in order to develop fresh perspectives for a revitalized and refocused river basin management approaches. This is an opportunity for reflections to present the Commission with a more defined vision for the future.” He added.