FAO and ZAMCOM staff pose for a photo after the official MoU signing ceremony at FAO Offices in Harare @FAO/DonaldChidoori

15 April 2024, Harare - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) have entered a transformative partnership aimed at fostering resilience and sustainable development within the Zambezi Watercourse Region. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) solidifies the commitment of both organizations to address the interconnected challenges of climate change, water management, and food security in the region, emphasizing the critical water-energy-food nexus.

The objective of this partnership is to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by contributing to key targets under SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Through joint activities, FAO and ZAMCOM aim to jointly mobilize resources for implementing initiatives that promote sustainable agriculture, enhance water-use efficiency, and strengthen climate resilience in the Zambezi Watercourse Region.

Impact indicators and targets set for the partnership include the implementation of capacity development programs, the establishment of integrated data and information services, and the identification of infrastructure development projects for sustainable agriculture production and climate change adaptation.

These initiatives align with FAO's Strategic Framework goals on innovation for sustainable agriculture production and small-scale producers' equitable access to resources.

Furthermore, the partnership will contribute to the implementation of ZAMCOM's Strategic Plan for the Zambezi Watercourse (ZSP) 2018-2040, the Programme for Integrated Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Zambezi River Basin (PIDACC), and the Zambezi River Basin Investment Plan (ZRIP).

"We are excited to embark on this collaborative journey with ZAMCOM to address pressing challenges and promote sustainable development in the Zambezi River Basin," said Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa. "This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing the well-being of communities in the region through innovative and inclusive initiatives."

ZAMCOM Executive Secretary, Felix Ngamlagosi, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "By joining forces with FAO, we are better positioned to leverage our respective expertise and resources to drive positive change in the Zambezi Watercourse. Together, we will work towards building a more resilient and sustainable future for all."

The cooperation between FAO and ZAMCOM will focus on four key areas:

1. Enhancing the resilience of communities and institutions against climatic shocks,

2. Improving integrated data and information services for water and related resources management,

3. Supporting infrastructure development for sustainable agriculture production and climate change adaptation,

4. Promoting integrated management of land, water, and natural resources to enhance food security.

Over the coming months and years, FAO and ZAMCOM will work together to mobilize resources and deliver a series of activities aimed at achieving these objectives. From capacity-building training of farmers to the installation of weather stations and the development of infrastructure projects, the partnership will strive to create a more sustainable and resilient future for the Zambezi Watercourse Region.