AMBASSADOR SPEECHES

Remarks for the OKACOM Launch-Maun,Botswana: Presented by Ambassador Katherine H.Canavan.

Februar 2,2008

Honorable Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism,Dr. Tombale, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Minerals, Energy & Water AffairsDr. Gakale, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism Distinguished Guests – All Protocol Observed  In a region where 70% of the surface water resources are shared by two or more countries, we are constantly reminded of the critical importance of the collaborative management of transboundary natural resources.   The Okavango River Basin, containing an extensive and extremely precious pool of biological and human diversity, is shared by three countries  –   Angola, Botswana and Namibia.   From the Huambo and Bie highlands in Angola, it flows more than 1,500 kilometers through that country’s Kuando Kubango Province, crosses Namibia’s Kavango region, and enters into the Okavango Delta, a wetlands of international significance.   For all three countries, the river and the biological resources of the basin offer enormous potential for economic development.   Some have been utilized effectively, as in the case of the tourism industry in Botswana, while others could be developed, for example through small-scale irrigation and supply of water to urban areas.   However, development decisions can have serious adverse consequences if the ecological sensitivity and biodiversity capital of the basin are not fully taken into consideration.   The Okavango Delta, for example, contains one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, with often more than 200,000 large mammals dependent on its aquatic and vegetative assets.   Decisions made by national and local governments, commercial enterprises, and communities can negatively affect the environment of the basin, unless coordinated by OKACOM.   This afternoon we celebrate the launch of the OKACOM Secretariat, housed here in Maun and representing one of only two functioning Secretariats in the SADC region.  Today, we commend and acknowledge the tremendous cooperation and collaborative spirit demonstrated by the members of the Commission in achieving this milestone.   OKACOM agreed in 2004 to establish the Secretariat and asked the U.S. Agency for International Development, through its Okavango Integrated River Basin Management Project, for assistance in its formulation.   OKACOM also requested support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency for the initial operation of the Secretariat.   The hard work, dedication and perseverance of all those involved from OKACOM, USAID and Sida over the last two years have resulted in a much stronger river basin organization.   Commissioners have formed more personal and trusting relationships, making it easier as a team to develop technical and political solutions to some of the difficult resource allocation and potential environmental degradation problems facing the basin.   The benefits of these efforts will continue to accrue in the future to ensure that the resources here in the Okavango Delta and those that cross boundaries are managed properly.   OKACOM has grown and matured substantially during the last three years, producing significant results.   Since late 2005, the Commission has enhanced its mandate by outlining its organizational framework and the responsibilities of its three internal management organs, managed an interim secretariat and established its permanent one, designed a website, participated in conflict mediation training, prepared a vision and strategic plan, organized and disseminated five high-quality newsletters, revised its program for the preparation of a basin-wide integrated management plan with UNDP-GEF funding, supported community-based environmental activities in all three countries with Sida and USAID assistance, rehabilitated water resources monitoring stations in Angola, and organized working task forces to more effectively elaborate technical solutions to issues affecting biodiversity, hydrology and institutional development.    In 2008, OKACOM will concentrate on the development of procedures, policies and technical approaches focused on fulfilling its mandate.   The results achieved by OKACOM in improved management of the Okavango basin can be used by SADC and other countries sharing river basins as guidelines for institutional development.   The United States Government, through USAID, has been proud to assist OKACOM during the past three years and we are very pleased with the results achieved with the assistance of the Okavango Integrated River Basin Management Project.   Personally, I am extremely pleased with the unique approach for International Cooperating Partner (ICP) coordination developed under OKACOM.  As Theresa has said, the cost-sharing arrangements, collaborative working partnerships, and mutual support between USAID and Sida, for example, contribute towards creating a model for future ICP collaboration.   I would like to recognize the U.S. Government team in attendance:  Dr. Scott McCormick, Chris Schaan, and Brenda Bergman from the USAID Regional Water Resources Office, Donald Keene and James Watson from the Regional USAID Office in Pretoria, and Anthony Woods from U.S. Embassy Gaborone’s Regional Environment and Health Officer.   The world’s natural resources, water and biodiversity, are very vulnerable.   Within the Okavango system, we may be fooled into thinking that water is plentiful.   However, research organizations within the region predict a future with increasing rainfall variability and declining supply of water.   As we heard this morning, 60 years ago there used to be more water in the delta.  We should take a moment to reflect on the implications of declining freshwater availability and loss of biodiversity and how that could influence our present lives and generations to come.   As residents of the SADC region and the global community, we are in a position to support institutions like OKACOM and the ODMP to ensure that these resources are conserved and protected for generations to come.    As demonstrated by the achievements of OKACOM during the last three years, working together we can achieve significant results and deliver benefits to all the residents of the Okavango basin.   THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE.PULA