Policy brief on the joint strategic action plan for the Ramotswa transboundary aquifer area.
Cooperative development and management of shared waters is widely recognized for its role in enhancing regional cooperation, water security and resilience. Protocols under the United Nations and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) call for cooperation on transboundary waters. Also, target 6.5 under Goal 6 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) specifically highlights the importance of transboundary cooperation for ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Guided by these frameworks, plans are articulated in transboundary contexts based on joint assessments of shared resources and negotiated strategic action plans that outline actions to take forward. Thus far, the majority of transboundary strategic action plans in the world have been developed for international surface waters (i.e., lakes, rivers, coastal areas), with less than ten focusing on transboundary groundwater bodies. The Joint Strategic Action Plan (JSAP) for the Ramotswa transboundary aquifer area is the first of its kind developed for a transboundary aquifer in SADC.
