🔙THROWBACK | Short Course on Harmonisation of National Policies, Legislation & Regulations for Effective Transboundary Water Resources Management
10–14 November 2025 | 
NUST, Windhoek, Namibia
Last week, the SASSCAL Graduate Studies Programme in Integrated Water Resources Management (SGSP-IWRM) had the privilege of hosting a dynamic and insightful short course on Harmonisation of National Policies, Legislation and Regulations for Effective Transboundary Water Resources Management (TWRM). The training was expertly facilitated by Ms Joanna Fatch, a Senior Policy Officer for Water Resources Management at the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW).
This capacity-building initiative was delivered as part of the capacity enhancement initiatives aimed at further achieving the programme's objectives. The programme is funded by the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFRT) through SASSCAL. The short course was attended by 15 participants from 5 SASSCAL member states: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia. A diverse and passionate group united by a common goal to strengthen transboundary water governance across the region.
Course Highlights
Throughout the week, participants engaged in rich discussions, case studies, participatory presentations and collaborative exercises across five key modules:
1. Overview of the Revised SADC Protocol on Shared Watercourses
A refresher on the legal and institutional framework guiding shared water governance in the SADC region.
2. Current Status of Policies, Legislation & Regulations in TWRM
Examining gaps, progress, and alignment challenges across member states.
3. Benefits of Harmonisation
Understanding how aligned policies improve cooperation, reduce conflict, and strengthen sustainability.
4. Addressing Institutional Fragmentation
Strategies for enhancing coordination, minimising overlaps, and strengthening institutions.
5. Key Building Blocks for Harmonisation
Practical steps toward integrated and sustainable management of transboundary water resources.
A Week of Learning, Collaboration & Vision
The course fostered meaningful dialogue and strengthened regional networks, which are crucial for advancing shared water security in Southern Africa. Participants were left empowered with new insights, tools, and a renewed commitment to harmonising national and regional water governance frameworks.
Together Toward Sustainable Transboundary Water Management. A big thank-you to Ms Joanna Fatch for her expertise, to SASSCAL and BMFRT for their continued support, and to all participants for their engagement and enthusiasm.
Stay tuned for powerful insights from our ongoing short course on Environmental Flows (E-Flows), currently underway and expertly facilitated by Dr Mulenga Kalumba from Zambia.
Learning continues, and so does our commitment to strengthening sustainable water management across the region. 
#SASSCAL #SGSPIWRM #ICWRGC #NUST #CapacityBuilding #TransboundaryWaterGovernance #HarmonisingWaterPolicies #WaterPolicyIntegration#RegionalWaterCooperation #SustainableWaterGovernance
