Challenges for Water Sharing in a River Basin

Abstract

"During the 2000 SIWI Seminar 'Towards Upsteam/Downstream Hydrosolidarity,' the importance of communication between countries sharing the same river basin was highlighted. A whole river basin approach that focuses on upstream/downstream conflicts of interest must involve attention not only to water itself but also to water-related ecosystem services. Dr. Peter Ashton from South Africa has examined this aspect with respect to the Okavango River Basin, which is shared by Angola (upstream), Namibia and Botswana (downstream). In a paper presented at the UN University Symposium on Southern African Waters in September 2000, he presented a concrete example on estimates of water needs in the basin states, plus management implications and recommendations. He stresses the importance of an ideally functioning River Basin Organization with representatives from all countries in the basin. With hydrosolidarity issues again to be in focus at the August Stockholm Water Symposium, Stockholm Water Front took time to talk to Dr. Ashton about the subject."