Swedish funding for Okacom

SWEDEN has given US$2,2 million to the Okavango River Basin Water Commission (Okacom) to set up its Secretariat in Maun, Botswana.

A statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, the grant will fund the Okacom Secretariat for three years, after which contributions from three Okacom member countries would support the institution. Okacom, formed through an agreement between Namibia, Angola and Botswana, is aimed at managing the Okavango River basin in a co-ordinated and environmentally acceptable manner, taking into account the needs and poverty alleviation policies of the three countries.Speaking at the announcement of the grant in Botswana last week, Swedish representative to Botswana Cecillia Ornberg said her country was committed to the regional development agenda in southern Africa.She said the integrated management of the Okavango River Basin’s natural resources and environment was an important element of Sweden’s development policies and activities in the area.The statement said the signing ceremony formed part of an annual meeting of delegates from the three Okacom countries.Okacom, formed through an agreement between Namibia, Angola and Botswana, is aimed at managing the Okavango River basin in a co-ordinated and environmentally acceptable manner, taking into account the needs and poverty alleviation policies of the three countries.Speaking at the announcement of the grant in Botswana last week, Swedish representative to Botswana Cecillia Ornberg said her country was committed to the regional development agenda in southern Africa.She said the integrated management of the Okavango River Basin’s natural resources and environment was an important element of Sweden’s development policies and activities in the area.The statement said the signing ceremony formed part of an annual meeting of delegates from the three Okacom countries.