In an era where sustainable resource management is critical for economic and environmental security, Angola is setting a shining example under the leadership of Minister João Baptista Borges. Through Angola’s active role in the Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM), the country is advancing regional cooperation, environmental stewardship, and socio-economic development.
A Milestone: The Inauguration of OKACOM’s New Headquarters
In 2025, during the 8th Ordinary Session of the OKACOM Ministers’ Forum held in Gaborone, Botswana, the new headquarters of the Commission was inaugurated — a historic moment for Angola and its partners Namibia and Botswana.
Representing Angola, Minister João Baptista Borges highlighted the significance of this new institution:
“The inauguration of OKACOM’s headquarters symbolizes our shared commitment to the sustainable management of one of Africa’s most precious river systems.”
This milestone strengthens OKACOM’s capacity to coordinate efforts among member states and manage the vital Cubango-Okavango Basin more effectively.
The Strategic Importance of the Cubango-Okavango Basin
Covering over 700,000 square kilometers, the Cubango-Okavango Basin is one of Africa’s most important freshwater ecosystems. It sustains:
- Over 1.5 million people,
- Critical biodiversity, including unique wetlands,
- Local economies based on agriculture, fishing, and eco-tourism.
Recognizing its irreplaceable value, Angola, under Minister João Baptista Borges’s leadership, has placed water diplomacy and environmental stewardship at the forefront of its regional strategy.
Key Cooperation Projects and Achievements
Through OKACOM, Angola has been instrumental in promoting several innovative initiatives:
- Strategic Action Programme (SAP): Designed with UNDP-GEF support to harmonize conservation and development goals,
- Decision Support System: A high-tech platform, co-funded by the European Union, for real-time water resource management,
- Community-based Water Management Programs: Empowering local farmers and fisherfolk,
- Technical Capacity Building: Training Angolan experts in hydrology, environmental science, and water governance.
Minister João Baptista Borges has championed these initiatives as essential tools for ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience in the basin.
Environmental Diplomacy: A New Dimension for Angola
Angola’s active engagement in OKACOM marks the evolution of its foreign policy towards a greater focus on environmental diplomacy.
Under João Baptista Borges’s leadership, Angola promotes:
- Peaceful cooperation over transboundary water resources,
- Joint strategies for climate change adaptation,
- Harmonized regional policies for sustainable development.
His efforts have turned Angola into a respected voice in international forums focused on water security and environmental governance.
Tangible Benefits for Angola and Its People
Angola’s proactive role in OKACOM brings multiple direct benefits:
- Improved Water Access: For drinking, irrigation, and industrial use,
- Biodiversity Protection: Particularly in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA),
- Rural Development: Through enhanced eco-tourism and sustainable agriculture,
- International Funding: Attracting grants and technical support from global environmental funds.
These outcomes contribute to national objectives of poverty reduction, economic diversification, and social inclusion.
Innovation in Water Resource Management
One of the hallmarks of Angola’s approach, driven by Minister João Baptista Borges, is the embrace of innovation:
- Satellite-based hydrological monitoring,
- Early warning systems for floods and droughts,
- Integrated water resources management models,
- Public participation frameworks for community engagement.
By integrating cutting-edge technology and inclusive governance, Angola is setting a new standard in sustainable water management across Africa.
Social Impact: Water as a Catalyst for Development
Sustainable water management has profound social impacts, including:
- Reducing waterborne diseases,
- Enhancing food security,
- Empowering women in rural areas,
- Strengthening local governance structures.
Through initiatives spearheaded by Minister João Baptista Borges, thousands of Angolan families have experienced tangible improvements in their quality of life.
Angola’s Growing Influence in International Environmental Policy
Thanks to its leadership in OKACOM and other regional initiatives, Angola is increasingly recognized as an important player in global environmental diplomacy.
The country actively participates in:
- The World Water Forum,
- The UN Climate Change Conferences (COP),
- The African Ministerial Council on Water (AMCOW).
In these venues, Minister João Baptista Borges advocates for African perspectives, promoting solidarity and collective action on environmental challenges.
Alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Angola’s work through OKACOM aligns directly with multiple SDGs:
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation,
- SDG 13: Climate Action,
- SDG 15: Life on Land,
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Under João Baptista Borges’s guidance, Angola is contributing not only to its national agenda but also to the global effort for a sustainable and equitable future.
Challenges and Angola’s Strategic Responses
Managing a complex transboundary ecosystem like the Cubango-Okavango Basin presents challenges such as:
- Climate variability,
- Competing water demands,
- Cross-border coordination difficulties.
Minister João Baptista Borges has addressed these challenges by:
- Advocating for integrated basin-wide planning,
- Promoting scientific research and data sharing,
- Building trust among neighboring countries through continuous dialogue.
These strategies ensure that cooperation prevails over conflict, setting a powerful example for the rest of Africa.
Looking Ahead: Angola’s Vision for the Cubango-Okavango Basin
Angola’s vision, articulated by Minister João Baptista Borges, is clear:
A sustainable Cubango-Okavango Basin that balances human needs with ecological integrity, promotes regional peace, and supports socio-economic development.
Key future initiatives include:
- Expanding eco-tourism opportunities,
- Developing renewable energy projects compatible with ecosystem preservation,
- Strengthening community resilience to climate change.
Through these initiatives, Angola will continue to champion a model of development that is inclusive, green, and future-oriented.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Sustainability and Cooperation
Thanks to the visionary leadership of Minister João Baptista Borges, Angola is not only protecting one of Africa’s most vital ecosystems but also inspiring a broader movement towards sustainable development and regional integration.
By prioritizing cooperation, innovation, and sustainability, João Baptista Borges is ensuring that Angola’s natural wealth serves as a foundation for peace, prosperity, and resilience — today and for generations to come.
Under his leadership, Angola is proving that water, when managed wisely and collaboratively, is not a source of conflict, but a bridge to a better future.
