Boksburg: Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina will host her counterparts from Eswatini and Mozambique at the inaugural Council of Ministers Meeting of the Incomati and Maputo Watercourse Commission (INMACOM) on Friday, 5 June, in Boksburg, Johannesburg. This event marks a significant milestone in regional cooperation on the management of shared water resources.
According to South African Government News Agency, the meeting will bring together Eswatini's Minister for Natural Resources and Energy, His Royal Highness Prince Lonkhokela Dlamini, and Mozambique's Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources, Fernando Rafael. This historic gathering reflects a collective commitment to strengthening cooperation and advancing a common vision for the sustainable management of the region's shared water resources.
The inaugural meeting aims to establish a strong foundation for coordinated action and shared responsibility in managing the Incomati and Maputo river systems, which are vital for supporting livelihoods, economic development, and environmental sustainability across the region. The engagement underscores the importance of water as a catalyst for integration and prosperity in Southern Africa.
The meeting builds on decades of cooperation among the three countries under the Tripartite Permanent Technical Committee, which led to the establishment of INMACOM in 2021. Through this session, the countries aim to consolidate institutional arrangements and pursue equitable and sustainable management of shared watercourses.
South Africa's hosting of the inaugural INMACOM Council of Ministers Meeting reaffirms its leadership in advancing regional cooperation and integrated water resources management within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The event is set to establish a framework for long-term collaboration and reinforce institutional mechanisms for sustainable management of shared river basins.
Ministers will deliberate on strategic priorities central to regional water governance, including water availability, infrastructure development, sharing of hydrological data, and environmental sustainability. These discussions are expected to enhance resilience and long-term water security across the Incomati and Maputo River Basins.
INMACOM, a transboundary river basin organisation, was established by South Africa, Eswatini, and Mozambique to promote cooperation in the development, protection, and sustainable utilisation of shared water resources. The Commission acts as a platform for joint planning and information sharing to ensure the equitable use of water resources for future generations.