Botswana intends to join the Water Convention

Botswana has expressed interest in joining the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (the Water Convention).

The government official on Tuesday said it was to ensure its water security and socioeconomic development.

Kekgonne Baipoledi, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Lands and Water Affairs made the statement at a national workshop on the protection of water resources in Gaborone, Botswana’s capital.

Baipoledi said like many other African countries, Botswana is particularly vulnerable to water scarcity as a result of climate change, and the primary challenges are centred on water resource availability and increasing water demand pressure.

The southern African country shares the majority of its water resources with neighbouring countries, Transboundary water cooperation is thus critical for Botswana’s water security and long-term socioeconomic development.

The Water Convention promotes the sustainable management of shared water resources, conflict prevention, peace and regional integration, all of which Botswana stands to benefit from, Baipoledi said.

Furthermore, Botswana is developing a water investment programme that is aligned with the continental Africa Water Investment Programme in collaboration with the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa.

(Xinhua/NAN)