Agreement between the Governments of Angola, the Republic of Botswana and the Republic of Namibia on the establishment of a Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM)

The Agreement concerns the establishment of the Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM). The objective of the Commission is to act as technical advisor to the Contracting Parties on matters relating to the conservation, development and utilization of water resources of common interest. In particular, the Commission shall advise on: (a) measures to determine the long term safe yield of the water available from all potential water resources in the River; (b) the criteria to be taken into account in the conservation, equitable allocation and sustainable utilization of water resources; (c) the prevention of the pollution of the water resources; (d) measures to be taken to alleviate short term difficulties resulting from water shortages; (e) investigations related to the development of any water resources, including the construction, operation and maintenance of waterworks. Further provisions concern the following: composition of the Commission (art. 2); meetings of the Commission (art. 3); powers of the Commission (art. 4); financial arrangements (art. 6).