A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the rules and procedures for the Joint Water Commission between Malawi and Mozambique was signed at a meeting held today at BICC in Lilongwe, and was presided over by the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Honorable Abida Sidik Mia, and the Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources for Mozambique, Carols Alberto Fortes Mesquita.
The meeting provided an important platform where the adoption of the Rules of the Procedure of the Joint Water Commission was done. This will assist in how the Joint Water Commission will operate in terms of identifying short, medium and long-term solutions to the current and future water challenges for the two countries.
Upon signing the agreement, Honorable Mia said despite having abundant shared water resources, Malawi and Mozambique continue to face challenges which include floods and drought due to climate change.
“This Agreement is meant to assist us in conserving, developing, and utilizing the water resources of the common interest in trying to improve the socio-economic development of the two countries without forgoing the issues of sustainability of the water resources and the ecosystems” She said
Her Mozambican counterpart said, his country is committed to promoting cooperation with its neighboring countries in the water sector.
“There is need for collaboration between Mozambique and malawi to lobby for funds from donors so that the MoU should achieve its main objectives. I do hope that these Rules of Procedure will be the beacon at which consensus will be reached on the decision for the management and development of the shared water resources for the two countries” he added
