Instruments for Cooperation
The evolution of international cooperation in the Zambezi River Basin has developed over more than three decades concluding with the signing of the ZAMCOM Agreement on 13 July 13 2004 in Kasane, Botswana, by Ministers responsible for water from seven of the eight riparian states – Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
These Rules and Procedures shall apply to the sharing of data and information relevant to the equitable and reasonable utilisation, management and sustainable development of the Zambezi Watercourse. These Rules and Procedures shall not apply to information exchange in emergency situations as defined in Article 17 of the ZAMCOM-Agreement.
The notification of planned measures is an important element of international water law and crucial for the cooperative management of shared watercourses. This document lays out the detailed Zambezi basin specific rules and procedures on notification in regard to for example; timelines, format, required supporting information etc., which will ensure faster project development, approval and implementation and significantly reduce the possibility of disputes arising over planned projects.