World Water Week 2024 is underway!
Yesterday, SADC-GMI made a powerful call for a robust institutional framework to coordinate surface and groundwater resources across the SADC region. Our session, titled "Finding Groundwater's Voice in Transboundary River Basin Organizations," was a resounding success.
Moderated by **[Gettie Shiinda](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#)**, the Young Professionals Programme Coordinator, and Eng. **[James Sauramba](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#)**, SADC-GMI's Executive Director, the session emphasized the critical role of groundwater management within transboundary river basin organizations (RBOs). Speakers **[Kevin Pietersen](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#)** and **[Batanayi Colletta (She/Her) Mapinde-Gwangwawa](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#)** expanded on our commitment to integrating groundwater into basin-wide planning and decision-making processes, ultimately sustaining river flows and supporting ecosystems. **[Anders Jägerskog](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#)**, World Bank Program Manager, also pivotally weighed in on the conversation, highlighting the vital role of groundwater in transboundary river basins.
As a Centre of Excellence for Groundwater Development and Management in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, SADC-GMI is dedicated to ensuring that groundwater is adequately represented in these organizations. To achieve this, we are spearheading initiatives such as the development of data-sharing agreements among SADC Member States, hydrological modeling, groundwater monitoring, and research on aquifer recharge and depletion.
Our Transboundary Aquifer (TBA) development model fosters collaborative research and joint monitoring efforts, building a shared understanding of groundwater's role in transboundary river basins.
Additionally, we are committed to creating an enabling policy, legal, regulatory, and institutional environment through dedicated capacity building and training programs. These efforts ensure that groundwater is integrated into basin-wide planning and decision-making processes, ultimately sustaining river flows and supporting ecosystems.
Our campaigns and awareness programs continue to highlight the critical role of groundwater in transboundary river basins. Through the production and dissemination of reports, case studies, and policy briefs, we emphasize groundwater's importance and its interconnectedness with surface water systems.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for this fruitful session. World Water Week continues—stay tuned for more updates!
**[World Water Week](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#)** **[Global Water Partnership Southern Africa](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#)** **[Buzi Pungwe Save Watercourse Commission BUPUSACOM](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#)** **[Limpopo Watercourse Commission (LIMCOM)](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#)** **[Global Environment Facility](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#)** **[Batanayi Colletta (She/Her) Mapinde-Gwangwawa](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#)** **[Kevin Pietersen](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#)** **[Anders Jägerskog](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#)** **[Cuvelai Watercourse Commission CUVECOM](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#)** **[The World Bank](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#)**
**\#WWWeek** **\#SADC** **\#GroundwaterManagement** **\#TransboundaryWater**
