Strategic Plan for the Zambezi Watercourse.

This comprehensive Strategic Plan, made by Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) pursuant to the ZAMCOM Agreement of 2004, is about the sustainable development and efficient management of the Zambezi Watercourse, which is defined as the system of surface and ground waters of the Zambezi constituting by virtue of their physical relationship a unitary whole flowing normally into a common terminus, the Indian Ocean. The “Zambezi Watercourse” is perceived broadly to also include the topography of the landscape and associated lands of the Zambezi River. The Strategic Plan is the principal instrument of ZAMCOM by which it will perform this role, in terms of the Agreement. It provides guidance and vision for the years to come and has four main components: • The investment in and development of infrastructure to enhance water, food and energy security; • The support of livelihoods in the Watercourse to reduce rural poverty and poverty driven degradation of land and water resources; • The management and protection of the environment, particularly given the threat of climate variability and change; and • The integrated management and protection of water resources. Its objectives are regional co-operation and good neighbourliness; development and utilisation of the resources of the Zambezi Watercourse for equitable economic growth and prosperity; sustainable and ecologically sound development and utilisation of the resources of the Zambezi Watercourse; climate resilient infrastructure and development, and to manage and reduce risk to investments and to society at large; public access to sufficient and safe water supplies, and related essential services, for basic needs and livelihoods; and capital mobilisation and investment finance.
The Plan describes the current situation in the Zambezi Watercourse, identifies future options for development, sets out the Strategic Plan components (infrastructure development, livelihoods support, management and protection of the aquatic and riverine environment, water resources management), sets out institutional and financial requirements, and deals with implementation and monitoring of implementation of the Strategic Plan. ZAMCOM will ensure that a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan is prepared to measure the implementation of the Strategic Plan.