MUNITY SOUTHERN M CO AF T VE N DE LOPM EN CA RI RE REGIONAL STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN IV (2016 - 2020) T U W TO AR D SA C O M MO N FU PROGRAMME 2: ESTABLISHMENT AND STRENGTHENING OF OCEANIC STATES COOPERATION AND SHARED WATERCOURSE INSTITUTIONS (SWIs) IN MAINLAND SADC OBJECTIVE: Develop the capacities of Member States to ensure the establishment of effective transboundary water management institutional arrangements and Oceanic State Intuitions for Cooperation to enable the implementation of the RSAP (Regional Water Programme) scope doesn’t meet the requirements as provided in the Protocol. The key activity entails facilitating and coordinating processes leading to the establishment of at least two shared watercourse commissions, including the Congo Watercourse Commission. PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS P2.3 STRENGTHEN SWIS TO ESTABLISH SECRETARIATS P2.1 STRENGTHEN COOPERATION IN OCEANIC STATES There is need to establish and strengthen cooperation among oceanic states. Oceanic states share similar water related challenges including weather related disasters resulting from sea level rise and sea water intrusion, coral bleaching, ocean acidification and marine pollution, etc. Oceanic states are also at the forefront of climate change related challenges (cyclones, etc.) Therefore, there is a need for Oceanic states to establish and strengthen cooperation. Activities include initiating a process that may lead to the development of instrument(s) for cooperation on water related challenges (refer Programme P1.4); as well as initiating a process that may lead to the establishment and strengthening of institutions for cooperation on water related challenges (refer to Programme P1.4). These initiatives are to be extended to other SADC coastal states which fall under mainland SADC, including Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania. P2.2 ESTABLISHMENT OF SHARED WATERCOURSE COMMISSIONS/INSTITUTIONS Though all shared watercourses that are wholly within the SADC region have some form of cooperation framework, some still need to review their structure and re-establish basin wide cooperation. There is need to assist existing shared watercourse institutions that do not have permanent secretariats to establish them. Key activities include: a) facilitating the establishment of shared watercourse institution secretariats; b) facilitating the sharing of experiences and best practices between shared watercourse secretariats; and c) mobilising resources to strengthen shared watercourse institution secretariats. P2.4 SHARING OF EXPERIENCES AND BEST PRACTICES There is also need to share best practices and experiences among watercourse institutions through twining arrangements, visits and workshops. Key activities include: a) convening regular regional fora for exchange of experiences among shared watercourse institutions (e.g. RBO Workshops); b) facilitating, promoting and supporting RBO twining arrangements and visits for sharing of best practices; and c) facilitating, promoting and supporting participation of SADC RBOs in relevant regional (Africa) and global water events. Though the Congo Basin is not wholly within SADC but 80 percent of its water comes from SADC Member States, and does not have an inclusive basin-wide cooperation framework except for CICOS – of which membership and 15 A Vehicle to implement the Water Component of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP)