LUSAKA, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Zambia said on Monday that there is a need to protect shared water bodies because of the important role they play in socio-economic development.
Minister of Water Development and Sanitation Mike Mposha said shared water bodies are critical to ensuring environmental sustainability, fostering regional cooperation, and promoting economic development, hence the need to ensure effective management.
In his remarks delivered at the opening of a regional conference on transboundary water allocation, the Zambian minister said 60 percent of the world's freshwater comes from transboundary sources, underscoring the interconnectedness of water resources and borders.
Effective cross-border cooperation and sustainable management practices are needed to ensure equitable utilization and conservation of shared waters, he said.
According to him, the challenges faced by countries are multifaceted, ranging from competing demands for water to climate change, weak governance, and environmental degradation.
He added that the conference comes at a critical time when the southern African region is facing serious water challenges due to the drought that has hit some countries.
James Wakiaga, the United Nations Development Program resident representative, said there is a need for more effective, integrated, and coordinated action, coupled with political will, to ensure proper management of shared waters. ■