Integrated Managment

Careful management is key to ensure all riparians benefit equally for a shared water resource and have sufficient water to prevent a situation of water stress. To aid the three nations to achieve this the Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission also known as OKACOM was formed. 

OKACOM is a water commission and advisory authority set up by the three nations in 1994 to ensure the co-operative management of the Okavango River whilst still promoting the social and developmental needs of each riparian . The commission is funded by the 3 countries and consists of representatives from each nation who meet on a yearly basis, sometimes more.

Also known as the commission, OKACOM is a technical consultant to governments on a whole series of matters including: development, conservation and sustainable resource use. The OKACOM Agreement signed in 1994 gives the organisation the legal power to:

- find out the long term and safe yield of the river basin
- estimate demand from consumers
- suggest mitigating measures against pollution
- investigate water infrastructures
- develop ways to alleviate short term problems (e.g. droughts)
- prepare criteria for conservation, fair allocations and sustainable water usage
- bring any other issues determined by OKACOM onto the table

OKACOM aims to anticipate and reduce negative impacts that happen as a result of uncoordinated development by offering nations a way to develop a management plan for the river basin based on sustainability, equitable allocations and that benefits should be shared among members. For this to occur the commission collaborates with foreign organisations and makes sure any integrated management of the Okavango basin improves livelihoods, aids development and looks after biodiversity.

The commission mainly take on an advisory role but it also prides itself on ‘action based on knowledge’ and this has been vital in ensuring that members are aware of any transboundary issues occurring in the basin.

OKACOM's 17th meeting (source: OKACOM)

On the whole the development of OKACOM has been pivotal for the Okavango basin nations as it has allowed them to co-ordinate projects that can meet development and conservation goals whilst assuring they will not negatively impact other riparian states. Integrated and collaborative management is therefore key in transboundary water systems as it promotes water security and reduces contention. Continual monitoring the basin and this way of co-coordinating development will also prove vital in addressing and mitigating any future pressures as the rising population increases in Africa and as climate change may negatively affect water conditions in the Okavango basin.