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Mozambique explores a new integrated approach to river basin planning

Home  /  Recent news  /  Mozambique explores a new integrated approach to river basin planning

Mozambique explores a new integrated approach to river basin planning

NBSAP Accelerator Partnership | Updates

November 28, 2025

Key summary:
  • A national workshop examined a new multi-sectoral approach to river basin planning in Mozambique.
  • Discussions highlighted opportunities to align river basin plans with SDG 6 and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
  • Stakeholders identified priorities for ecosystem protection, community participation and decentralized planning as part of a 2026 roadmap.

The IUCN Mozambique Country Office convened the National Workshop on River Basin Planning in Maputo on 26–27 November 2025, under the Dutch-funded MozWater Programme. The event, themed “A Nova Abordagem sobre a Planificação de Bacias Hidrográficas em Moçambique,” introduced a shift toward achieving water security through resilient Integrated Water Resource Management (GIRH), moving beyond traditional sectoral planning.

The workshop was opened by Dr. Agostinho Vilanculos of the National Directorate of Water Resource Management (DNGRH). The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership Facilitator for Mozambique was invited by the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries to contribute to this national dialogue.

A central question guided the discussions including “What must we do together in 2026 that no sector can do alone?” Participants emphasized the importance of aligning river basin plans with SDG 6 and national targets that are consistent with the GBF.

Three priority actions were highlighted:

  • Protecting ecosystems: Integrating the protection of critical water catchment areas and the implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS).
  • Empowering local communities: Strengthening community involvement in basin committees, water monitoring and disaster risk management.
  • Decentralized perspective: Ensuring community perspectives inform the work of regional water administrations (ARA Centro and ARA Norte).

The workshop established the principles for a resilient and integrated approach to river basin planning. The next step involves translating these principles, including ecosystem protection, community inclusion and multi-sectoral coordination, into a 2026 roadmap for water security in Mozambique.

Photo credit: Olávio Mazivila, IUCN Mozambique
Photo credit: Olávio Mazivila, IUCN Mozambique

Learn more about Mozambique and the progress of other country members on our Recent News page. Curious about the Facilitator Programme? Learn more about its critical role in accelerating NBSAPs here.

NBSAP Accelerator Partnership | Updates

November 28, 2025

Key summary:
  • A national workshop examined a new multi-sectoral approach to river basin planning in Mozambique.
  • Discussions highlighted opportunities to align river basin plans with SDG 6 and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
  • Stakeholders identified priorities for ecosystem protection, community participation and decentralized planning as part of a 2026 roadmap.

The IUCN Mozambique Country Office convened the National Workshop on River Basin Planning in Maputo on 26–27 November 2025, under the Dutch-funded MozWater Programme. The event, themed “A Nova Abordagem sobre a Planificação de Bacias Hidrográficas em Moçambique,” introduced a shift toward achieving water security through resilient Integrated Water Resource Management (GIRH), moving beyond traditional sectoral planning.

The workshop was opened by Dr. Agostinho Vilanculos of the National Directorate of Water Resource Management (DNGRH). The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership Facilitator for Mozambique was invited by the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries to contribute to this national dialogue.

A central question guided the discussions including “What must we do together in 2026 that no sector can do alone?” Participants emphasized the importance of aligning river basin plans with SDG 6 and national targets that are consistent with the GBF.

Three priority actions were highlighted:

  • Protecting ecosystems: Integrating the protection of critical water catchment areas and the implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS).
  • Empowering local communities: Strengthening community involvement in basin committees, water monitoring and disaster risk management.
  • Decentralized perspective: Ensuring community perspectives inform the work of regional water administrations (ARA Centro and ARA Norte).

The workshop established the principles for a resilient and integrated approach to river basin planning. The next step involves translating these principles, including ecosystem protection, community inclusion and multi-sectoral coordination, into a 2026 roadmap for water security in Mozambique.

Photo credit: Olávio Mazivila, IUCN Mozambique
Photo credit: Olávio Mazivila, IUCN Mozambique

Learn more about Mozambique and the progress of other country members on our Recent News page. Curious about the Facilitator Programme? Learn more about its critical role in accelerating NBSAPs here.


The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership is a country-led initiative that supports the implementation of NBSAPs to collectively achieve the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It is co-chaired by Colombia and Germany, supported by the governments of Germany, Norway, Canada and France, and coordinated by a Global Coordination Unit hosted by the Secretariat of the CBD, UNDP and UNEP.


 

Target 02 - RestorationTarget 11 - Nature's contribution to regulationTarget 14 - Mainstream biodiversity in policies
SDG 06 - Clean WaterSDG 15 - Life on LandSDG 17 - Partnerships

The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership is a country-led initiative that supports the implementation of NBSAPs to collectively achieve the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It is co-chaired by Colombia and Germany, supported by the governments of Germany, Norway, Canada and France, and coordinated by a Global Coordination Unit hosted by the Secretariat of the CBD, UNDP and UNEP.


 

Target 02 - RestorationTarget 11 - Nature's contribution to regulationTarget 14 - Mainstream biodiversity in policies
SDG 06 - Clean WaterSDG 15 - Life on LandSDG 17 - Partnerships