LUSAKA, Dec. 10 — Zambia has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR), establishing a strategic framework for cooperation in water resources management. The agreement between Zambia’s Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) and the IWHR was signed during a visit by a delegation from the Chinese institute. According to a statement released on Wednesday, the MoU provides a foundation upon which detailed technical, scientific, and research-based programs will be developed. WARMA Acting Executive Director Misozi Ngulube said the signing follows several engagements between the two institutions, which began during the World Water Congress held in China in September 2023. “This partnership is both timely and nationally significant,” she said. “Zambia continues to experience growing pressure on its water resources due to climate variability, more frequent floods and droughts, increased population demands, and the need for reliable scientific data to support national planning.” The partnership will help Zambia strengthen technical capacity, embrace innovative technologies, and enhance predictive and analytical capabilities, Ngulube said, noting that the cooperation will cover integrated water resources management, advanced hydrological and groundwater modeling, flood and drought early warning systems, dam safety, and hydraulic infrastructure management. Peng Wenqi, the IWHR chief engineer, expressed his organization’s commitment to supporting Zambia through research and innovative solutions. The IWHR looks forward to contributing to scientific studies and practical innovations that will inform decision-making and policy planning in Zambia’s water resources sector, he said.
(Xinhua)
