Welcome to our latest edition of the CIWA Bulletin!
We’re excited to share some significant milestones and developments from the CIWA team:
Expanding our Digital Presence: We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new LinkedIn account, where we’ll be sharing regular updates and insights and engaging with our growing community of water professionals and climate advocates.
Major Publications Released: We recently released two important publications that represent months of dedicated research and collaboration:
- Climate Resilience and Mitigation Assessment – a comprehensive analysis of adaptive strategies for water systems in the face of climate change
- Water Data Revolution: Closing the Data Gap for Transboundary Water in Africa – an essential resource addressing critical information gaps that have long hindered effective water management across African countries
International Engagement: Our team had the privilege of participating in Panafcon 3, a conference focusing on water and sanitation issues in Africa, and engaging stakeholders in relation to the new pan-African PASA “Unlocking the Potential of Africa’s Transboundary Water Resources for Prosperity”. CIWA Team presented its innovative Biodiversity Framework at a UNECE global workshop in Geneva on freshwater ecosystem conservation and restoration in transboundary basins.
Voices from the Ground: In the first half of 2025, we published several blogs in our “View from the Field” series to showcase the human impact of our work. These stories illuminate how CIWA’s initiatives are making tangible differences in communities across Africa.
Have a good read!
Anders Jagerskog and Ai-Ju Huang, CIWA Program Managers
Global Workshop on Ecosystems Conservation and Restoration in Transboundary Basins
CIWA Manager Anders Jägerskog attended the Global Workshop on Ecosystems Conservation and Restoration in Transboundary Basins in Geneva. The workshop zoomed in on a powerful truth: when it comes to restoring rivers, wetlands, and biodiversity that cross borders, cooperation isn’t optional. Anders also presented the CIWA Biodiversity & Conservation Framework—our blueprint for embedding ecosystem thinking into transboundary water planning across Africa and weaving biodiversity directly into basin-level governance, not as an add-on, but as a core consideration.
What’s making a splash
The Water Data Revolution: Transforming Transboundary Water Management in Africa
Collecting water data typically depends on ground-based methods. But the quality of monitoring networks has declined, and investment in infrastructure and training has been insufficient. Remote sensing technologies have emerged as powerful tools to address these challenges.
Three Keys to Successful Transboundary Water Cooperation in Africa
With the impact of extreme weather events frequently crossing national boundaries, regional cooperation is essential to address them. Focusing on three key principles, the Regional Climate Resilience Program is creating water management systems that can withstand climate variability while reducing cross-border tensions.
Sharing Waters, Transforming Futures: CIWA’s Action for a Climate-Resilient Africa
How countries choose to cooperate over transboundary waters today will determine the region’s resilience for generations. That is why CIWA recently conducted an assessment to evaluate the climate resilience and mitigation benefits of its activities since its inception in 2011. An overview report is now available.
Protecting the Cubango-Okavango River to support livelihoods
Tracy Molefi, program coordinator at OKACOM, and her colleagues are determined to promote sustainable development and management of the Cubango-Okavango River Basin while also improving the livelihoods of communities.
Groundwater-dependent invasive species: Researching the effects
Read the story of Mmasechaba Lebogang Moropane, whose research focuses on detecting and mapping the extent of invasive species that rely on groundwater in the Heuningnes Catchment in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
Protecting groundwater from depletion in the SMAB
To manage and protect groundwater more effectively, Landing Bojang, chief hydrologist of The Gambia’s Department of Water Resources, advocates for public sensitization, laws, regulations, and greater institutional capacity.
What's new in transboundary waters and beyond
NBI Trains 30 People in Hydro-Diplomacy to Empower Women in Transboundary Water Management
The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) has conducted a training program aimed at unlocking the potential of women in transboundary water management and hydro-diplomacy. Held in March 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the four-day workshop brought together 30 men and women from across the Nile Basin.
Strengthening Water Resilience in Ethiopia’s Rural Communities
The Ethiopia Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience Project focuses on enhancing the resilience of vulnerable communities against climate shocks and water scarcity. With support from CIWA, it emphasizes high-quality design that accounts for rising demand driven by climate change and population growth.
Angola, Botswana and Namibia: Ministers Sign the Revised OKACOM Agreement
Committing to continued cooperation, three countries signed a revised agreement to develop fresh perspectives for revitalized and refocused management of the transboundary Cubango-Okavango River Basin (CORB), which is a vital ecological and hydrological region in Southern Africa known for its unique ecosystems and biodiversity.
SADC-GMI is Unlocking Sustainable Water Management through Revision of SADC Water Policy
Agriculture-dependent regions such as Southern Africa require effective water management strategies to enhance livelihoods and drive economic growth. However, outdated policies can hinder optimal water resource management. In recognition of these issues, the SADC Secretariat has developed various tools, including a Water Policy, which was revised in 2005.
Pathways to Respond to Climate Change, Forced Displacement, and Conflict Challenges
This article, written by former CIWA team member Edoardo Borgomeo and CIWA Program Manager Anders Jagerskog, addresses a gap in the development of policy interventions to inform climate responses in contexts affected by conflict and forced displacement. It suggests that a focus on decision pathways can help shape a long-term development response to conflict and climate challenges.
Water cooperation is essential when countries share lakes and rivers – yet it’s been deteriorating
Just over half the world’s population lives in countries that share a river or lake basin with at least one other country. To sustainably manage those water resources for the health of people, ecosystems, and economies, neighboring countries must work together. However, many countries have been less willing to cooperate in recent years, even to protect a resource as vital as freshwater.
Implementing Transboundary Water Agreements
A new book "Implementing Transboundary Water Agreements", examines the types of compliance and implementation mechanisms that support transboundary water cooperation. Drawing on case studies from the Danube, Orange-Senqu, and Mekong rivers and treaty practice, the book offers practical insights into how these mechanisms can be incorporated into transboundary water agreements.
The Global Economy Runs on Water, not Capital
In the way we govern our economies, water is overlooked, undervalued, and mismanaged. If we fail to change course, the crises we already see — droughts, floods, wildfires, and ecological disruption — will intensify, displacing communities, triggering food shortages, and ultimately exacerbating conflicts. Water is the first casualty of climate change and ecosystem degradation.
PANAFCON-3: CIWA HELD A SESSION ON 'NEW FRONTIERS OF TRANSBOUNDARY WATER MANAGEMENT ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH'
During the third edition of the Pan African Conference, CIWA Program Manager Anders Jakerskog held a panel on “New frontiers of transboundary water management on the African continent for development and growth,” with participation from key stakeholders including the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), African Union European Commission, and International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
The panel discussion focused on identifying opportunities to leverage transboundary water management and cooperation for resilient economic growth and the best ways to use new tools to improve understanding of the continent’s water resources.
Watch the full session:
Save the date for these upcoming events
World Water Week 2025: Water for Climate Action
Water plays a pivotal role in global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience, safeguarding ecosystems and communities. World Water Week 2025 will focus on addressing the interconnected emergencies of climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss, emphasizing both mitigation and adaptation, alongside the broader goal of enhancing resilience. Explore the 2025 Programme.
International Conference on Water, Peace and Security 2025: water as a catalyst for peace and cooperation
The International Conference on Water, Peace, and Security will bring together governments, international organizations, researchers, civil society, and key stakeholders to explore the critical role of water as a catalyst for peace and cooperation on October 27-28, 2025.
Learn more
CIWA’s social media engagement
ABOUT CIWA
Learn more about our program activities on our English and French Websites. And do follow us on LinkedIn andTwitter @CIWAProgram. A special thank you to our editorial team, partners, reviewers and authors. Photo Credits: Shutterstock, Unsplash, Flickr and the World Bank.