Global Water Partnership Southern Africa

“We welcome the opportunity to bring our two basin commissions together and to work side by side on shared water challenges. The #Kunene and #Cuvelai basins are part of one natural system, and the realities faced in southern Angola and northern Namibia show how important it is to plan and act jointly.” said Mr. Carolino Mendes, Angola Commissioner for CUVECOM & Kunene PJTC in his opening remarks during the meeting. The discussions during the CUVECOM and the Kunene Permanent Joint Technical Committee Joint Council of Commissioners Meeting cover the long‑term vision for the Cuvelai and Kunene basins, emerging policy and institutional needs, and how joint action can better support national and regional priorities. Global Environment Facility United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Cuvelai Watercourse Commission CUVECOM UNDP in Namibia UNDP Angola Maria Amakali Octávio Nani IW:LEARN Silvanus Uunona Loreen Katiyo (PhD) Xanani Baloyi Falco Kiowa Chelesani Tsarwe Tsungai Albert Mavambe Dina Zimba Global Water Partnership Aune [ATM] Amwaama

Ms Maria Amakali, Alternate Commissioner, delivered opening remarks on behalf of Mr Teofilus Nghitila , Namibia Commissioner for CUVECOM and the Kunene PJTC, at the joint Council of Commissioners meeting in #Ongwediva, Namibia. The remarks underscored the importance of the Cuvelai and Kunene basins for regional integration, climate resilience and shared prosperity, and highlighted the progress being made through the #CUVKUN project in strengthening basin cooperation, institutional coordination and transboundary water governance. Global Environment Facility United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Cuvelai Watercourse Commission CUVECOM UNDP in Namibia UNDP Angola Octávio Nani IW:LEARN Silvanus Uunona Loreen Katiyo (PhD) Xanani Baloyi Falco Kiowa Chelesani Tsarwe Tsungai Albert Mavambe Dina Zimba Global Water Partnership Aune [ATM] Amwaama

The CUVECOM Council of Commissioners and the Kunene Permanent Joint Technical Committee (PJTC) Council of Commissioners are meeting in Ongwediva, Namibia, where Commissioners and technical teams from Angola and Namibia are reviewing strategic progress in the shared basins and providing high‑level guidance for the next phase of cooperation. The CUVKUN Project is honored to contribute to these discussions by presenting progress made across the two basins, including technical advancements, institutional strengthening, and community‑level achievements across both basins. The meeting highlights a shared commitment by Angola and Namibia to strengthen regional integration, enhance climate resilience, and advance sustainable development through practical cooperation that delivers meaningful benefits to communities across the Cuvelai and Kunene basins. Global Environment Facility United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Cuvelai Watercourse Commission CUVECOM UNDP in Namibia UNDP Angola Maria Amakali Octávio Nani IW:LEARN Silvanus Uunona Loreen Katiyo (PhD) Xanani Baloyi Falco Kiowa Chelesani Tsarwe Tsungai Albert Mavambe Dina Zimba Global Water Partnership Aune [ATM] Amwaama

The 5th CUVKUN Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting was successfully convened in #Ongwediva, #Namibia, on 29 July 2026, bringing together Member States, development partners, and stakeholders to review progress, strengthen collaboration, and provide strategic direction for the next phase of implementation. The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of #Angola and #Namibia to advancing sustainable transboundary water cooperation for the benefit of communities across the Cuvelai and Kunene River Basins. Opening the meeting, Ms Maria Amakali, Co-Chair and Head of the Namibia Delegation, underscored the importance of building strong institutions for the basin, noting "As a young River Basin Organisation, Cuvelai has a unique opportunity to build strong systems, institutions and partnerships from the ground up while drawing on lessons from established SADC River Basin Organisations." Speaking on behalf of Angola, Mr Neves Maceu, Co-Chair and Head of the Angola Delegation, reaffirmed his country's commitment to strengthening transboundary water cooperation through joint governance, technical collaboration, and practical interventions that support the sustainable management of shared water resources. Representing UNDP, Mr Christian Shingiro, Deputy Resident Representative at UNDP in Namibia, commended the progress achieved and urged partners to maintain momentum, emphasizing "The priority now is to accelerate implementation and deliver tangible, lasting benefits for the people and ecosystems of the Cuvelai and Kunene basins." Closing the opening statements, Mr Andrew Takawira, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer at GWPSA, highlighted the project's long-term vision "The success of this project will not only be measured by outputs, but by the strength of the institution it leaves behind." The CUVKUN Project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA) serving as the Executing Agency. The Cuvelai Watercourse Commission (CUVECOM) and the Kunene Permanent Joint Technical Committee (PJTC) are the custodians of project implementation. #CUVKUN #TransboundaryWaterCooperation #WaterSecurity #ClimateResilience #IntegratedWaterResourcesManagement #SADC #GWPSA #UNDP #GEF #Namibia #Angola #WaterGovernance Cuvelai Watercourse Commission CUVECOM UNDP Angola Octávio Nani IW:LEARN Silvanus Uunona Loreen Katiyo (PhD) Xanani Baloyi Falco Kiowa Chelesani Tsarwe Tsungai Albert Mavambe Dina Zimba Global Water Partnership

The future of transboundary water cooperation in Southern Africa will reach a historic milestone this week in Pemba, Mozambique. Ministers from Malawi, Mozambique and the United Republic of Tanzania are convened at Avani Hotel, Mozambique from 28 - 31 July for the Council of Ministers' Meeting of the Ruvuma/Rovuma River Basin Commission, which will culminate in the signing of the Ruvuma/Rovuma Establishment Agreement. This landmark agreement officially establishes the Ruvuma/Rovuma River Basin Organisation (RBO), providing a strong institutional framework for collaborative management of the shared river basin. The event also features the Second Project Steering Committee Meeting of the GEF-funded Ruvuma Project, where partners will review the implementation progress and agree on priorities to strengthen integrated transboundary water resources management, ecosystem conservation, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods across the basin. The Strengthening Integrated Transboundary Source-to-Sea Management of the Ruvuma River Basin and its Coastal Zones to Ensure Ecosystem Health and Livelihood Security project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as the GEF Implementing Agency, and executed by Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA) and Wetlands International Eastern Africa (WIEA) in collaboration with the Governments of #Malawi, #Mozambique and the United Republic of #Tanzania, with support from #SADC and the SADC-German Cooperation through GIZ. #Ruvuma #TransboundaryWater #WaterCooperation #ClimateResilience #IntegratedWaterResourcesManagement #GWPSA #GEF #IUCN #SADC #SDG6

The CUVECOM Council of Commissioners and the Kunene Permanent Joint Technical Committee (PJTC) Council of Commissioners Meetings will be held on 30 July 2026 in Ongwediva, Namibia. Both meetings will provide strategic direction and decision making on priority issues across the Cuvelai-Kunene transboundary basin, including implementation progress of the Enhanced Water Security and Community Resilience in the Adjacent Cuvelai and Kunene Transboundary River Basins (CUVKUN) Project, groundwater management support, Co-Design of a Hydrometeorological Information System for Sustainable Water Resources Management in Southern Africa (Co-HYDIM-SA) project updates, secretariat administration matters, and preparations for a ministers’ meeting. These Commissioners’ meetings are preceded by three technical and governance meetings, where delegations from Angola and Namibia, project partners and technical teams are attending to prepare agenda items and recommendations. The meetings include: 1️⃣ Monday 27 July: CUVECOM Steering Committee Meeting  2️⃣ Tuesday 28 July: Kunene committee meetings (Task Force Calueque, Committee on Bilateral Agreements, and Baynes Hydropower Project technical sessions). 3️⃣ Wednesday 29 July: UNDP GEF CUVKUN 5th Project Steering Committee Meeting. The CUVKUN Project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA) as the Executing Agency. The Cuvelai Watercourse Commission (CUVECOM) and the Kunene Permanent Joint Technical Committee (PJTC) are custodians of project implementation. UNDP Angola UNDP in Namibia IW:LEARN Silvanus Uunona Loreen Katiyo (PhD) Cuvelai Watercourse Commission CUVECOM Xanani Baloyi Maria Amakali, Ndina Nashipili Octávio Nani Falco Kiowa

Convocatória para Candidaturas: Curso sobre Gestão do Risco de Catástrofes O Projecto CUVKUN queira convidar candidatos de Angola a inscreverem-se para participarem num curso sobre Gestão do Risco de Catástrofes. O curso decorrerá online de 10 a 13 de Agosto de 2026 e será ministrado em Português para os participantes Angolanos. O Curso de Gestão do Risco de Catástrofes foi concebido para reforçar a capacidade institucional do CUVECOM em geral e, especificamente, nas bacias hidrográficas dos rios Cuvelai e Cunene, partilhadas por Angola e pela Namíbia. O objectivo é que as instituições das duas bacias integrem a gestão do risco de catástrofes no planeamento de acções, de modo a aumentar a resiliência nas bacias dos rios Cuvelai e do Cunene. O curso irá dotar os profissionais das duas bacias de competências e conhecimentos que os ajudarão a antecipar, preparar-se/planear, mitigar, responder e recuperar de catástrofes tanto naturais como provocadas pelo homem. O curso coloca ênfase no reforço da capacidade de preparação, gestão de riscos e resposta a catástrofes, com vista a salvaguardar as comunidades, as infraestruturas e a resiliência organizacional. Este curso privilegia abordagens práticas, o planeamento estratégico e a utilização de tecnologias modernas na preparação e gestão do risco de catástrofes. Prazo para candidaturas: 2 de Agosto de 2026 Mais informações e candidatura: https://lnkd.in/dJFRPhzJ O Projecto CUVKUN é financiado pelo Fundo Global para o Ambiente (GEF) e liderado pelo Programa das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento (PNUD), com a Parceria Mundial para a Água — África Austral (GWPSA) como Agência Executora. A Comissão do Cuvelai (CUVECOM) e o Comité Técnico Conjunto Permanente do Kunene (PJTC) são os custodiantes da implementação do projecto.

Global Water Partnership Southern Africa joins the African Union Commission and all partners in celebrating the 11th African Day of Seas and Oceans, which highlights the critical role of the continent's seas and oceans in advancing a sustainable development. The African Day of Seas and Oceans is an African Union (AU) continental observance on July 25, that promotes sustainable management of Africa’s seas, oceans, and aquatic resources while advancing the implementation of the Africa Blue Economy agenda under Agenda 2063. The commemorations coincides with the 3rd Africa Blue Economy Week and High-Level Africa Sustainable Blue Economy Conference held in Luanda, Angola, from 22–25 July 2026, where GWPSA contributed to continental dialogue on digital technologies, ocean data systems, science-to-policy integration, and evidence-based decision making for stronger ocean governance and sustainable development. Healthy oceans, rivers, lakes, and coastal ecosystems are essential for food security, livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, economic growth, and climate resilience. Together with governments, regional institutions, researchers, and partners, GWPSA continues working toward better data, better science, and better decisions for Africa’s water and ocean future. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Madeleine Nyiratuza, PhD Andrew Takawira Shamiso Kumbirai Mlilwana

Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA) is participating in the 3rd Africa Blue Economy Week / High-Level Africa Sustainable Blue Economy Conference taking place in #Luanda, #Angola (22–25 July 2026) under the theme: “From Strategy to Action: Political Leadership for Africa’s Blue Economy Transformation.” The conference is convened by the African Union Commission, in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Angola. As part of the programme, GWPSA co-led a session on “Digital Technologies, Data Systems and Science to Policy,” moderated by Ms. Shamiso Kumbirai Mlilwana, Project Coordinator at GWPSA. The session brought together continental institutions, ocean science experts, research organisations, and innovation partners to explore how digital technologies and integrated ocean data systems can strengthen governance, fisheries management, marine conservation, and evidence-based planning across Africa. In her opening remarks, Ms Kumbirai highlighted a critical message for the continent: “The Blue Economy has enormous potential to drive sustainable economic growth, create jobs, strengthen food security and build climate resilience. However, realising that potential depends on one fundamental ingredient: better decisions. And better decisions require better data, better science and stronger connections between knowledge, policy and action.” The conference is expected to culminate in the Luanda Declaration and Call to Action, reinforcing continental commitments to accelerate implementation of Africa’s sustainable blue economy agenda, mobilise investment, strengthen ocean knowledge systems, and expand opportunities for youth and women across blue economy value chains. These priorities are closely aligned with Agenda 2063 and Africa’s climate resilience ambitions. #AfricaBlueEconomyWeek #BlueEconomy #GWPSA #Agenda2063 #OceanGovernance #ClimateResilience #DigitalTransformation #OceanData #ScienceToPolicy #SustainableDevelopment #Africa #BlueEconomyTransformation