adminHe was addressing diplomats and Government officials during a model United Nations debate on trans-boundary water issues for high school students from Harare held at the Parliament of Zimbabwe yesterday.
“While competition for the world’s water resources will likely intensify, it is imperative that serious and concerted effort be exerted to make institutional frameworks more effective to avoid water conflicts,” he said.
Minister Mumbengegwi said at least 37 cases of violence between States have been reported while 200 water treaties were negotiated in the last 50 years.
“Interestingly some of these treaties like the Indus Basin Treaty between India and Pakistan have remained in force even during the armed conflicts between the two countries,” Mr Chimbindi said.
He said the disputes between the riparian states of the Nile River as regards to the use of water in the river also shows the volatile nature of water. UN strategic planning specialist head of UNRCO Mr Paul Farran said teachers and students had benefited from the UN model as an interactive learning experience.
Online Reporter