09 Jul 2025

A team of specialists from the Okavango Research Institute (ORI) and international partners convened in Maun for a landmark three-day workshop aimed at advancing the understanding and sustainable management of the Cubango-Okavango River Basin. 

The workshop, involving collaborators from the Plus Alliance, comprising the Universities of Arizona, New South Wales, and King’s College London as well as the Eyre River Basin and private sector partners, focused on assessing ecosystems across the basin using the global ecosystem typology. The primary goal of the gathering was to assemble and interpret comprehensive maps of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems within the basin. 

Participants aimed to identify large-scale data sets, recognise data gaps, and develop capacity among young scientists from Angola, Namibia, and Botswana. Community engagement and education also formed key components of the initiative.

A significant aspect of the workshop was the exchange of knowledge regarding the twin river basin program, which links the Okavango Basin with Australia’s Lake Eyre Basin—one of the largest inland drainage systems in the world. In an interview conducted during the event, ORI Director Dr. Casper Bonyongo highlighted the importance of establishing baseline data. 

“The Okavango River Basin remains relatively undisturbed,” he said, “but increasing pressure from population growth and development plans especially with Angola’s recent stability necessitate urgent assessment and management.”

The basin, shared by Angola, Namibia, and Botswana, is managed cooperatively through the Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM). Dr Bonyongo emphasised that understanding the current status of the basin was vital for detecting changes over time and making informed decisions. 

“Without reliable data showing the current state of the basin, measuring future changes becomes difficult,” he added.

The workshop also facilitated discussions on establishing clear indicators for monitoring the ecosystem. 

“We aim to develop specific variables at the basin level,” Dr Bonyongo explained, to produce accurate reports on the health and status of the basin.”

Collaboration with global organisations and government agencies was another priority. “Partnerships with Australian groups, ORI, OKACOM, and others are crucial because we share the common goal of understanding the river system and making informed management decisions,” Bonyongo said.

In a broader scope, ORI’s focus is expanding from the Okavango Delta to encompass the entire basin through partnerships with universities in Angola and Namibia. “This collective knowledge-sharing approach enriches our understanding and enhances our ability to respond to environmental challenges,” he added.

River ecologist and conservation biologist Professor Richard Kingsford underscored the importance of establishing a new framework for ecosystem management and reporting. “We need to scrutinise existing data and identify gaps,” he said. “Standardising data across Angola, Namibia, and Botswana will help us understand where the basin is heading and what threats it faces—such as deforestation and irrigation developments in Angola—and how these impact water flow and ecosystem health.”

Professor Kingsford emphasised that selecting appropriate indicators for different ecosystems is fundamental to fostering effective collaboration among the basin’s riparian countries, ultimately supporting sustainable ecosystem management.BOPA