Launching of the regional initiative to strengthen the integrated management of the Ruvuma River Basin and its coastal zones

The five-year project, “Strengthening Integrated Transboundary Source-to-Sea Management of the Ruvuma River Basin and its Coastal Zones to Ensure Ecosystem Health and Livelihood Security,” is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with an investment of USD 7.12 million. 

Led by IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, as the GEF Implementing Agency in partnership with the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA), lead Executing Agency, Wetlands International - Eastern Africa as Co-executing Agency, and the Secretariat of the Joint Development and Management of the Rovuma/Ruvuma River Basin, the initiative promotes a source to sea approach that connects the management of land, freshwater and coastal ecosystems by strengthening transboundary cooperation and climate-resilient sustainable livelihoods for communities across the basin within the three countries.

Speaking during the project’s Inception Meeting, IUCN Tanzania Country Representative and Regional Programme Coordinator, Mr. Charles Oluchina, emphasised the significance of regional collaboration in addressing interconnected environmental and development challenges across the basin.

“The partnership between the Governments of Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania demonstrates a shared commitment to peaceful cooperation, environmental sustainability and inclusive development. This project positions the Ruvuma Basin as a model for integrated transboundary resource management and sustainable development,” 

Delegates from the three riparian countries underscored the importance of regional cooperation in managing shared water resources and safeguarding ecosystems that sustain communities across borders.

“We recognise that this project is not only about water resources management; it is about safeguarding ecosystems, improving livelihoods, and ensuring that our shared natural resources benefit present and future generations,” noted Eng. James Chitete, Director of Water Resources for the Government of Malawi.

Mr. Carlitos Momade Omar, Director General of ARA-Norte IP, delegate from Mozambique and Chairperson of the Joint Development and Management of the Rovuma/Ruvuma River Basin, highlighted the importance of addressing environmental challenges through an integrated basin-wide perspective.

“The source-to-sea approach acknowledges what we have long understood: that land management affects river health, river health influences estuaries and coastal ecosystems, and decisions taken in one part of the basin have consequences across borders and sectors,” 

As the host country, the Government of Tanzania welcomed partners and emphasised the importance of coordinated action and shared responsibility in advancing sustainable development across the basin.

“Your participation underscores the importance of this project to communities living in the Ruvuma Basin. This meeting brings together technical experts and partners to align implementation arrangements and strengthen collaboration to address development challenges in the basin,” said Mr. Sudi Mpemba, Basin Director, Ruvuma and Southern Coast Basin.

The Ruvuma Transboundary Project is expected to deliver tangible environmental and socio-economic benefits for both ecosystems and communities living across the basin. Over the course of implementation, it will support the restoration of more than 88,000 hectares of degraded land and ecosystems, promote improved landscape management practices across nearly 280,000 hectares, and directly benefit more than 50,000 people through strengthened livelihoods, improved water governance and enhanced ecosystem stewardship. It will further focus on strengthening institutional frameworks for transboundary water and coastal governance, enhancing science-based decision making on strategic investments that promote sustainable land and water management practices while improving sharing of lessons learned and best practices across riparian countries.

By linking upstream landscapes with downstream rivers, estuaries and coastal ecosystems, the initiative reflects a growing recognition that decisions taken in one part of the basin have implications across borders and sectors. As implementation begins, the Ruvuma River Basin initiative is expected to serve as a regional model for transboundary cooperation demonstrating how nature-based solutions can restore ecosystems, strengthen water security, improve livelihoods and build resilience to climate change.