04 September 2026
The Republic of Malawi has acceded to the United Nations Water Convention, reinforcing its commitment to the sustainable and equitable management of shared water resources. Malawi becomes the 60th Party to the UN Water Convention — the 15th from Africa and the 5th from Southern Africa.
Malawi is landlocked but rich in transboundary water systems, sharing rivers, lakes, and aquifers with several neighbouring countries. These waters are vital for agriculture, hydropower, fisheries, and drinking water – supporting the population of over 22 million people, especially in rural areas where about 80% of people live and depend on groundwater.
In recent years, Malawi has faced increasing climate‑related shocks, including floods, droughts, and rising temperatures. These events threaten food security, water supplies, and the livelihoods of millions, particularly in rural areas. Strengthening transboundary water cooperation has therefore become a strategic priority for building climate resilience and protecting vulnerable communities. This approach is fully aligned with the Africa Water Vision 2063, which promotes equitable and sustainable water use as a foundation for socio‑economic development and regional integration across the continent.
Malawi is already part of several bilateral and regional agreements, including with Tanzania and Mozambique. Joining the UN Global Water Conventions now provides a stronger legal foundation to deepen and expand this cooperation. The UN Water Convention secretariat, with the sponsorship of Finland, is currently supporting Malawi and Zambia to develop a Memorandum of Understanding on a shared sand and gravel aquifer, which demonstrates the practical value of the Convention in establishing transboundary water cooperation frameworks.
Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development of Malawi, Roza Fatch Mbilizi, said: “Malawi’s accession to the UN Water Convention and the UN Watercourses Convention marks a historic milestone in our journey towards water security and climate resilience. As a country whose people and economy depend on shared water resources, we recognise that cooperation across borders is not an option but a necessity. These Conventions reinforce our commitment to the equitable and sustainable management of transboundary waters, safeguarding livelihoods, supporting regional integration, and building a more resilient future for present and future generations.”
UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean stated “I welcome Malawi’s accession to the UN Water Convention which further consolidates the strong momentum for water cooperation in Africa and the growing interest in the Convention worldwide. As Malawi is both an upstream and downstream country, this highlights the Convention as a practical tool for unlocking cooperation, strengthening water security, and building trust across borders”
Malawi has jointly acceded to the 1997 UN Watercourses Convention, which is mutually compatible. Together with the 1992 UN Water Convention, the United Nations have urged countries to develop river, lake and aquifer arrangements and to support that endeavour by becoming a Party to, and fully implementing, both UN global water conventions.
As countries prepare for the next UN Water Conference in December 2026 in Abu Dhabi, co-hosted by Senegal and the United Arab Emirates, Malawi’s accession sends a strong signal at a critical time for transboundary water cooperation. Other countries that are considering accession are encouraged to accelerate their progress and join the Water Convention.
With this step, Malawi joins a growing number of African countries, including Southern African Parties such as Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana, embracing the UN Water Convention as an instrument for peace, sustainable development, and shared prosperity.
The accession follows a National Workshop on the UN Global Water Conventions held on 24–25 February 2026 in Lilongwe. Organized by the UN Water Convention secretariat with financial support from the European Union, a national roadmap to accession was the major outcome.
Source:https://unece.org/media/Environment/press/416114
