MINUTES OF THE VIRTUAL MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON FOOD, AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES (FANR) STANDING COMMITTEE HELD ON TUESDAY, 12THOCTOBER, 2021
PRESENT
Hon. Lekhetho Mosito, MP (Vice Chairperson) Lesotho
Hon. Helena Bonguela Abel, MP Angola
Hon. Tshitereke Baldwin Matibe, MP South Africa
Hon. Polson Majaga, MP Botswana
Hon. Tambudzani Mohadi, MP Zimbabwe
Hon. Carlos Manuel, MP Mozambique
Hon. Marie Genevieve Stephanie Anquetil, MP Mauritius
Hon Hawa Subira Mwaifunga, MP Tanzania
Hon Rocky Uranie, MP Seychelles
APOLOGIES
Apologies from the Parliaments of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Eswatini, Madagascar, Namibia, were duly noted.
IN ATTENDANCE SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM SECRETARIAT
Ms Boemo Mmandu Sekgoma Secretary General
Ms Clare Musonda Director, Corporate Governance
Mr Sheuneni Kurasha Programme Manager, Democracy,
Governance and Human Rights
Ms Sharon Nyirongo Committee Secretary
Ms Betty Zulu Committee Secretary
Ms Edna Kanguya Committee Secretary
Ms Agness Lilungwe Personal Assistant to the Secretary General
Mr Ronald Windwaai ICT
Mr Wilfried Kongolo ICT
Mr Modise Kabeli Media Officer
Ms Paulina Kanguatjivi Programmes Coordinator
Resource Persons
Ms Beauty Shamboko Mbale Fresh Water Manager, World Wide Fund for
Nature, Zambia
Dr Patrice Kabeya Senior Programme Officer, Water Division,
Directorate of Infrastructure, Southern
African Development Community (SADC)
Secretariat
Mr Duncan Samikwa Senior Programme Officer, Directorate of
Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources,
SADC Secretariat
Mr Kidanemariam Jembere Senior Technical Advisor, Water, Climate,
Development and Gender, Global Water
Partnership – Southern Africa
Mr Andrew Takawira Senior Technical Advisor, Africa
Coordination Unit, Global Water
Partnership – Southern Africa
AGENDA
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Credentials of Delegates and Apologies. -
Adoption of the Agenda. -
Welcomeremarks. -
Consideration of the Minutes of the FANR Standing Committee held on Monday, 12th April, 2021. -
Consideration of Matters Arising from the Minutes of the FANR Standing Committee meeting held on Monday, 12th April, 2021. -
Presentation and discussion of the theme: “Water Resource Management in the SADC Region: What is the Role of Parliaments.” -
Any Other Business.
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 hrs.
1. CREDENTIALS OF DELEGATES AND APOLOGIES
The credentials of the Committee were presented and the quorum was confirmed for the meeting to proceed.
2. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
On a proposal by South Africa and seconded by Malawi, the Agenda was adopted as presented.
3. WELCOMING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON
In the absence of the Chairperson, Hon Lekheto Mosito presided over the meeting in his capacity as Vice Chairperson. Hon Mosito welcomed all Hon Members to the meeting. He further extended a special welcome to the Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum Ms Boemo Sekgoma. He informed Members that the Committee was meeting to deliberate on the theme‘Water Resource Management in the SADC Region: What is the Role of Parliaments?’
In his welcome remarks, Hon Mosito informed Hon Members that water played a significant role in most economic sectors such as agriculture, energy, mining, tourism, among others. He further stated that the allocation, development and protection of water was an essential prerequisite for economic growth and poverty reduction. However, water scarcity largely contributed to the ineffective operations of these sectors. It was estimated that more than 75 per cent of the African population used groundwater as its main source of drinking water. This was true for Southern African countries such as Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
The Vice Chairperson noted that climate change was threatening the water security of the region. He pointed out that according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, climate change was likely to increase risks of natural hazards and hydrological events. He stated that if not addressed and given that 95 per cent of agriculture in SADC was rain fed, the region may became food insecure. He urged Hon Members to ensure that respective Member States heightened measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Lastly, Hon Mosito reminded Hon Members that attainment of some of the SADC regional commitments and global development goals were dependent on a watersecure region. He called on the Hon Members to utilise their oversight function and ensure that the goals and objectives entrenched in policies, strategies and laws on water were implemented and domesticated in respective member states.
4. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE VIRTUAL MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON FANR HELD ON MONDAY, 12THAPRIL, 2021
On a proposal by South Africa and seconded by Mauritius, the minutes of the previous meeting were adopted without amendments.
The presentations including the plenary discussions, conclusions and recommendations were made as set out below.
5. Presentation on Water Resources Management in the SADC Region: The Role of Parliaments
The presentation was delivered by Mr Beauty Mbale, Fresh Water Manager WWF-Zambia
Ms Mbale began by outlining the findings of the situational analysis of water in the SADC region. She stated that the region was expansive with unevenly distributed water resources compared to the population and settlement patterns. The meeting was informed that groundwater supplies were estimated at about 27 percent and 35 per cent of the water needs of urban and rural communities, respectively, in the region. Ms Mbale noted that the region’s water security was at risk due to competing economic activities, population growth and the adverse effects of a changing climate. Globally, the water sector was among the most affected by climate change, and the SADC region had not been spared from this problem due to its low institutional capacity to adapt to climate change.
Ms Mbale affirmed that the SADC region considered water resource management as a pivotal instrument for promoting peace in the Southern African region through transboundary and regional cooperation. She informed the meeting that in order to foster cooperation on transboundary basins in the region, there was need to harmonise legislation, policies and strategies on water. She highlighted some of the important regional documents that impacted water resource management as outlined below.
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SADC Revised protocol on shared watercourses (2000). -
Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP). -
Regional Water Strategy (2006). -
SADC Regional Water Policy (adopted in 2005).
Hon Members were informed that the transboundary nature of many of the region’s basins and aquifers presented a challenge to effectively manage water resources. This was further exacerbated by failure to link developmental activities of Member States, for instance, development on the upstream side of one country could negatively impact the downstream flow of another Member State. Ms Mbale further informed the meeting that the amount of groundwater in the region was not fully known. In that regard, she urged Hon Members through the necessary SADC water governance structures to conduct research in that field. She added that there was a strain on the region’s water due to pressure from increased abstraction as a result of population increase. Industrialisation as well as the effects of climate change also contributed to the pressure. Ms Mbale emphasised the importance of ensuring that there was a balance between competing pressures for different usesto ensure a water secure region.
Ms Mbale summed up her presentation by stating that it was imperative for Member States to adopt an integrated and basin wide approach to development. In that light, she informed Hon Members that WWF was supporting a project in the Kwando region that involved four SADC countries, namely; Angola, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. She informed the meeting that WWF supported the Kwando Joint Action Group by providing a platform for dialogue on how best to manage the Kwando River. As part of its continued efforts to promote cooperation among Member States, WWF planned to offer support towards formulation of a Strategic Environmental Assessment to harmonise developmental activities of the affected countries.
6. Presentation on SADC Programmes on Water and Natural Resources Management
The presentation was delivered by Dr Patrice Kabeya, Senior Programme Officer and Mr Duncan Samikwa both from the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Water Division.
The meeting was informed that the SADC Water Vision was based on equitable and sustainable utilisation of water for social and environmental justice, regional integration and economic benefit for present and future generations. In line with the Regional Strategic Action Plan (RSAP), which had a five year cycle, the SADC region envisioned to have a water secure region which was resilient, peaceful and prosperous.
Hon Members were further informed that the SADC region was committed to deliver on its aspirations through various water projects and programmes. He stated that a Framework had been formulated which resonated with the RSAP and embedded the regional goals of economic growth and development, peace and security, equity and social inclusion, regional integration and sustainable development with specific thematic areas on energy security, safety security from water related disasters, health and food, water supply and sanitation services. The Framework was guided by three pillars, namely, Water Governance and Integration Pillar; Water Infrastructure Development Pillar; and Water ResourcesManagement Pillar.
Hon Members were informed that the SADC Regional Agriculture Policy (RAP) of 2014, the Regional Agriculture Investment Plan (RAIP) and the Food and Nutrition Strategy had an impact on the region’s water resources. Further, RAIP objective one stated that ‘Access to factors of production, water and resource agriculture and energy for and from agriculture’ had a huge bearing on the water and energy sectors. Whereas priority number two of the RAIP promoted collective action among countries in addressing water issues of transboundary nature.
Dr Kabeya informed Hon Members that the regulatory and policy framework of the SADC water sector was governed by the RegionalProtocol on Shared Watercourses (2000), Regional Water Policy (2005) and Regional Water Strategy (2006).He informed the meeting The SADCSecretariat in partnership with cooperating partners had implemented anumber of programmes and projects as outlined below.
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Two cross-border water projects, namely, Lomahasha-Namaacha Water Supply and Sanitation Project between Eswatini and Mozambique and Kazungula Water Project in Zambia supported by the SADC Regional Water Fund. -
The Climate Resilient Projects (through United Kingdom support in collaboration with the USAID and other partners. -
Establishment and Strengthening of River Basin Organisations (RBOs), managing the joint programmes of various basins -
Groundwater Development – for improved and sustainable livelihoods supported by the SADC GMI and World Bank supported) -
Water, Energy and Food Security (WEF) nexus project (supported by the European Union). -
Cross-Border WASH Projects (as a COVID-19 related response), the SADC Secretariat received funding from the Germany Government, so far pilot projects were being implemented between the borders of the Republic of South Africa and Zimbabwe. If successful, other the project to be replicated in other SADC borders. -
The Water Transfer Project called the Songwe River Multi-purpose Infrastructure Development Project between Lesotho and Botswana and the Lesotho-Highlands Project. -
Capacity building Development and research programmes: Waternet Programme: Running a flagship Masters Programme on IWRM, offered mainly at the Universities of Zimbabwe and Tanzania Dar-es- Salaam and the Southern African NEPAD Water Centre of Excellence Programme.
Mr Samikwa informed the meeting that the RAIP had seven programmes, the second programme focused on agriculture infrastructure development whose objective was to enhance access to agriculture infrastructure including water, energy, land, roads, storage and other relevant infrastructure. It was hoped that this would result in effective and efficient production systems for improved productivity.
The meeting was briefed on the water infrastructure developments in the region. The meeting was informed that the feasibility study for the Chirundu Cross- Border Water Supply and Sanitation Project between Zambia and Zimbabwe had been completed under the auspices of the German and United Kingdom Governments. The meeting was further informed that the detailed designs for the Lomahasha and Namaacha water project had been completed and the tender was issued in March, 2021 for construction. With regard the Kazungula Water Project, feasibility studies were completed and detailed designs were earmarked for completion in July 2021, supported from the Germany Government through the SADC Water Fund. Mr Samikwa stated that the beneficiary Statesfor the Kazungula Water Project included Eswatini, Mozambique and Zambia.
In terms of the industrialisation and nexus approach, the meeting was informed that through support from the European Union, the SADC Secretariat was implementing the WEF nexus project. In that regard, a Regional WEF Framework had been developed and was approved by the SADC Water Ministers responsible for water in October, 2020. Hon Members were further informed that following adoption of the Framework, a regional tool had been developed to guide implementation of the WEF, among other uses, the tool would be used for screening for joint WEF investment programmes in the region. The meeting was further informed that the SADC Secretariat had received support and funding from the European Union for the second phase of the project.
With regard programmes on water resource management for sustainable development, Dr Kabeya informed Hon Members that a SADC Groundwater Management Institute, Centre of Excellence based in South Africa was established to spearhead the programme. He added that livelihood demonstration projects under the progamme were completed except for those in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. The first phase of the project was supported by the World Bank and based on its success, the second phase would be would also be supported by the Bank. To that effect, Hon Members were informed that the SADC Secretariat had commenced negotiations on the finalisation and subsequent signing of the grant agreement for phase II of the Project.
Hon Members were further informed that various cooperating partners were providing assistance to the SADC Secretariat in order to support River Basin Organisations (RBO). The results of such partnerships were evidenced by the creation of the newly established Cuvelai Watercourse Commission between Angola and Namibia, the INCO-MAPUTO RBO for Eswatini, Mozambique and South Africa which was in the process of being established, with an interim Secretariat already in place.With regard, the Buzi-Pungwe-Save Tri-basin RBO between Mozambique and Zimbabwe, both countries had committed to establish the RBO and negotiations were ongoing on the specific basin agreements.
In terms of enhancing stakeholder engagementsin the water sector, Hon Members were informed that there were several gender capacity building activities being implemented with a specific thematic focus on gender, gender for budgeting, gender mainstreaming, gender in infrastructure development. Others included the Gender Focal Point training workshops, including the establishment ofa Regional Youth Forum borne out of stakeholder engagements. The SADC Secretariat was in the process of sourcing for funds to operationalise the Regional Youth Forum.
7. Presentation on the SADC Programme on Water and Natural Resources Management
The final presentation was made by Mr Andrew Takawira and Mr Kidanemariam from the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa.
The presentation highlighted some of the key challenges of managing water
resources as outlined below.
(a) Uneven distribution of water resources in the region
The region’s water resources potential was estimated at 2 300 km3/year of the renewable freshwater resources. However, the distribution of the resources in the region was uneven with annual average rainfall ranging from 300 mm per year in Namibia to 1530 mm per year in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
(b)Climate change impacts on water resources
A number of climate change impacts as evidenced by floods in some parts of the region for instance the 2019 cyclone Idai was cited as having destroyed and damaged about US$$1 billion of infrastructure, 100,000 homes, and 1 million acres of crops. Further, drought affected water sources by draying up rivers, depleting groundwater, causing changes in the rainfall distribution, degraded wetlands which were critical ecosystems for supporting various services.
(c) Coping with increasing demands for water compared to supply
Increasing population, urbanisation and economic activities made it difficult to sustain key services having an impact on the demand for water compared to the supply.
(d) The issue of low investments to meet the demand for water was a major concern for the region.
Mr Takawira briefed Hon Members on some of the capacity building programmes it undertook with other institutions to ameliorate some of the challenges that the region faced. Hon Members were informed that the SADC Ground Water Management Institute (SADC-GMI), was a subsidiary institute of SADC Secretariat and all the sixteen SADC countries belonged to SADC-GMI. The meeting was further informed that GWP collaborated with WaterNet also a SADC subsidiary institute that was hosted by the University of Zimbabwe to promote capacity building programmes in the water sector. WaterNet had a membership of seventy eight mainly from universities and academic institutions that focused on water resource management in the region and offered masters and doctorates programmes including short professional courses in integrated water resource management. The Institute also contributed to the SADC research agenda by supporting research activities. Notably, the Institute conducted outreach programmes in the form of symposia on an annual basis, where young scientists had a platform to showcase their work.
Mr Kidanemariam informed the Hon Members about other progammes that GWP and SADC Secretariat collaborated in line with RSAP. He cited the SADC Transboundary Water Programme, SADC Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus Programme, SADC Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA+) and the Africa Continental Water Investment Program (AIP) as part the programmes being implemented jointly between GWP and SADC. He explained that under the AIP programme, there were sub programmes such as Gender Transformative, Weather Climate Development Programme and the Programme Infrastructure Development in Africa programmes. There were also country level water partnerships, providing multi stakeholder platforms on water issues.
Mr Kidanemariam noted that the gender dimension was very important towards efforts to build climate resilience because of the different vulnerabilities that people experienced. He stated that vulnerabilities manifested in terms of failure by people to access natural resources such as land and water, coupled with lack of access to information and technology. He added that certain policies and social norms also created inequalities between different members of society. In that regard, the Gender Equality in Water Security and Climate Resilience Building programme was a huge milestone towards ensuring climate water security resilience for all. Still on climate change, Mr Kidanemariam informed the meeting that GWP through the African Union Africa Water Investment Programme, offered capacity building support to Member States to develop bankable project proposals to access finance from the Green Climate Fund.
Hon Members were informed that the continent’s water investments ought to be US$64 billion per year in order to achieve some of the aspirations of Agenda 2063. Lamentably, water investments stood at between US$10 billion to US$19 billion per year. Mr Kidanemariam informed the Committee that efforts were underway through the Africa Water Investment Programme under the African Union to mobilise about US$30 billion by the year 2030.
STATEMENT OF PLEA BY HON CARLOS MANUEL, MP, ON BEHALF OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOZAMBIQUE ON ITS INTENTION TO APPLY FOR PERMANENT MEMBERSHIP OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL OF THE UNITED NATIONS (UN)
Hon Manuel stated that the theme considered by the FANR Committee was very important taking into consideration that the water sector was among the most affected by the adverse effects of climate change. He further explained that Hon Members as representatives of the people in the SADC region had a duty to contribute towards efforts to make the region water secure. He informed Hon Members that he was a bearer of a message from the Republic of Mozambique concerning his country’s intention to present its candidature as a permanent member of the Security Council of the UN at the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly to be held in June, 2022. He further informed Hon Members that Mozambique’s intention had already been endorsed by the African Union, SADC, Portuguese speaking countries as well as the Caribbean community. He stated that Mozambique was optimistic that it would secure a place on the UN Security Council given its contribution towards the liberation movement of the Southern African countries. He added that Mozambique was one of the founding members of the frontline countries in the successful implementation of peace building operations of the UN between the years 1992 and 1994. He ended by making a clarion call to SADC Member States to support Mozambique’s candidature.
Statement by the Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum
The Secretary General extended gratitude to the resource persons for providing the Committee with valuable information. She informed Hon Members that the presentations had brought to light an interesting dimension in as far as interrogating water resource management in the region was concerned. She added that the Standing Committee on FANR could in the future undertake a study on a similar theme with special focus on water resource governance during pandemics. The Secretary General informed the meeting that water had become an important resource especially during the COVID 19 pandemic, where as in the past water was mainly relegated to domestic, industrial and other uses, the pandemic had actually revealed the importance of water in the health sector. In that regard, the Secretary General noted that it was important for the region to understand the clinical manifestation of water borne infections during pandemics.
Conclusions and Resolutions
Following the presentations and discussions, the FANR Committee concluded
and resolved as follows:
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There was need for the SADC Member States to conduct research in order to ascertain the potential of groundwater in the region. This would result in effective planning and sustainable management of water. -
The Committee made a clarion call to Member States to appreciate and provide support towards implementation of the WEF nexus programme, noting that water challenges were becoming complex and interfering with the key developmental sectors such as energy, agriculture, transportationand communication, among others. -
In light of the WEF nexus approach, there was a need for respective Member States to ensure that the policies, strategies and legislation onwater were aligned to the principles of integrated water resource management. -
The Committee resolved to urge Members States to adopt an integratedand basin wide approach to development, noting that developmentalactivities of one Member State could have a negative impact on another country. -
There was need to provide support to SADC Parliamentarians to enable them address new and emerging challenges such as climate change, COVID 19 pandemic, gender and social inequalities all of which impacted water resource management. -
SADC Parliamentarians to strengthen their representative role and utilise it to raise awareness on the challenges that beset water resource management in the region. -
Need for strengthened oversight and harmonisation of legislation across the SADC region to ensure smooth and effective implementation of programmes. -
SADC Parliaments to lobby respective Governments to increase budgetary allocations towards the water sector to promote investments that can guarantee a water secure region.
The Acting Chairperson thanked the Members for their participation and valuable contributions. He also placed on record his appreciation for the expert information which was shared by the resource persons and expressed the Committee’s desire to learn more about integrated water resource management.
There being no further business, the FANR Committee meeting was adjourned at 12:20 hours.
_______________________________ ________________________
Hon. Lekhetho Mosito Sharon B M Nyirongo
ACTING CHAIRPERSON COMMITTEE SECRETARY
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