The Republic of Mozambique, the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Malawi concluded on Friday, 31 July 2026, in the city of Pemba, Cabo Delgado province, the process of establishing the Rovuma River Basin Commission, a historic milestone in regional cooperation for the sustainable management of shared water resources among the three countries.
The act, which brought to a close the ministerial meeting that began earlier this week, was also marked by the transfer of the Presidency of the Rovuma Basin Commission from Mozambique to the United Republic of Tanzania, symbolising the continuity of the three states’ commitment to integrated, equitable and sustainable governance.
The closing ceremony was chaired by the Secretary of State for Cabo Delgado, Plácido Nerino Pereira, representing the Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources, Fernando Rafael. The Secretary of State highlighted that the creation of the Commission represents “the political will of our states to make water an instrument of regional integration, peace, sustainable development and shared prosperity for the communities living along the Rovuma Basin”.
During Mozambique’s presidency, the three countries consolidated institutional coordination mechanisms, strengthened the sharing of hydrological and environmental information, developed joint water quality monitoring and early warning systems for droughts and floods, and created better conditions and strategies for mobilising financial resources aimed at implementing structural projects in the basin.
On the occasion, Mozambique formally transferred leadership of the Commission to the United Republic of Tanzania, expressing confidence that the new presidency will continue the implementation of the Integrated Water Resources Management Strategy for the Rovuma Basin, strengthen multisectoral cooperation, promote climate change adaptation and reinforce the institutional capacity of the Commission.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Water of the United Republic of Tanzania, Jumaa Hamido Aweso, Tanzania’s Permanent Secretary, Mwajuma Waziri, Malawi’s Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Faidess Dumbizgani Mwale, the Governor of Cabo Delgado province, Valige Tauabo, as well as representatives of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Government of Germany, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Wetlands International, technical officials from the three countries and various cooperation partners.
The partners present reaffirmed their technical and financial support for the operationalisation of the new Commission, recognising that the joint management of the Rovuma Basin constitutes a fundamental instrument for strengthening water security, promoting sustainable development and increasing the resilience of communities in the face of the effects of climate change.
At the close of the proceedings, Mozambique reiterated its commitment to continuing to work in close cooperation with Tanzania and Malawi, and expressed confidence that the Rovuma River Basin Commission will establish itself as a regional reference for good water governance, integration and cooperation within the SADC region.
Source: Ministério das Obras Públicas, Habitação e Recursos Hídricos-MOPHRH / Press Release / Club Of Mozambique
