Ethiopia Shares Environmental Conservation, Watershed Mgt Experience to ZAMCOM Delegation

Addis Ababa, March 16, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia has shared its experiences in environmental conservation and watershed management to a delegation from the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) today.

During the meeting, Minister of Water and Energy Eng. Habtamu Iteffa, highlighted the country's proactive climate stance.

He emphasized that Ethiopia is implementing concrete measures to combat climate change, specifically citing the Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) and various integrated watershed management programs as blueprints for regional success.

Minister Habtamu emphasized Ethiopia’s pivotal role in regional watershed management, noting that the country contributes approximately 86 percent of the Nile River's total flow.

He linked this contribution to the success of the GLI, which serves as a frontline defense for the basin's water security.

Water resource management is vital for the future of the river and the wellbeing of its basin countries, Habtamu emphasized.

He pointed to the escalating threats of climate extremes, such as devastating droughts and floods, which continue to claim lives and destroy livelihoods.

To counter these shocks, the Ethiopian government is prioritizing resilience-building measures designed to modernize water management and enhance the nation's response to climate-driven disasters, he added.

Minister Habtamu also expressed the nation's drive toward food sovereignty, noting that sustainable farming, particularly the smart use of river resources during dry seasons, is essential for long-term security.

Beyond surface water, he pointed to a shift toward more sophisticated management, such as expanding groundwater access and refining irrigation infrastructure. These innovative approaches are intended to maximize crop yields while shielding the agricultural sector from the volatility of climate change.

At the heart of this strategy, Habtamu stated, lies the GLI and broader watershed programs, which focus on restoring natural ecosystems and securing water through massive afforestation.

“If you attend the global climate summits, people talk about mitigating climate change, afforestation, clean energy, and that is the talk. Ethiopia is walking the talk. It is based on this and other parameters, COP32 will be held here,” he elaborated.  

Minister Habtamu further emphasized that strong political commitment has been the decisive factor behind these achievements, noting that Ethiopia has successfully planted over 48 billion tree seedlings within the last four years.

To sustain these saplings, he underscored that the government is establishing robust legal frameworks specifically designed to protect river ecosystems and ensure the transparent, effective governance of water resources.

Looking toward regional stability, the Minister encouraged further knowledge exchange and cooperation, reaffirming Ethiopia’s readiness to share its expertise in sustainable water resource management with international partners.

Felix Ngamlagosi, Executive Secretary of the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM), commended Ethiopia’s GLI, praising its dual focus on environmental restoration and sustainable water resource management.

He noted that the experience-sharing session provided a vital platform for exchanging knowledge on sustainable practices that could be adapted within the Zambezi River Basin.

According to Ngamlagosi, the delegation’s primary objective was to examine Ethiopia’s best practices in transboundary water management to help strengthen cooperation and governance among the Zambezi’s riparian states.

“Ethiopia’s major infrastructure developments, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the Gibe III and the Koysha hydropower projects, are exemplary large-scale initiatives that support regional integration and energy security,” he noted.

Executive Secretary Ngamlagosi drew parallels between Ethiopia’s current initiatives and landmark hydropower projects in the Zambezi region, such as the Kariba and Cahora Bassa Dams, which remain cornerstones of electricity supply and economic development in Southern Africa.

However, he noted that despite these infrastructural milestones, the Zambezi region still faces critical vulnerabilities, most notably a heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture, recurring climate extremes, and environmental degradation.

Ngamlagosi called for a comprehensive strategy to combat these issues, urging increased investment in infrastructure, poverty alleviation, and sustainable water management.

He specifically lauded Ethiopia’s GLI for its unparalleled ability to mobilize millions of citizens in large-scale environmental restoration.

“We look forward to learning from Ethiopia’s experience on how such transformative programs can create lasting environmental and socioeconomic benefits,” Ngamlagosi said.

The ZAMCOM delegation, featuring representatives from across the Zambezi Basin, including Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, concluded their visit by touring the Riverside Development Project in Addis Ababa.