Building on the Foundations of Integrated Water Resources Management

This policy brief argues that water security and climate resilience are essential cross-sectoral themes for national development in Africa. It proposes using the existing foundations of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) to fast-track the integration of climate resilience into development planning and recommends strong central government leadership to coordinate these efforts across various sectors.

• Water security is identified as a critical component for achieving Africa's development goals and serves as the primary channel through which the impacts of climate change will be experienced. Achieving long-term sustainability requires building climate resilience across water-dependent sectors, including energy, agriculture, environment, and water supply and sanitation, which necessitates strong coordination and cross-sectoral integration.
• The Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach is presented as an effective framework for managing competing water demands and integrating climate resilience into development planning. Many IWRM principles—such as the need for wide stakeholder participation, the use of both 'soft' and 'hard' solutions, and the importance of transboundary dimensions—are applicable to mainstreaming climate resilience.
• Effective coordination of water and climate resilience often requires leadership from a central 'apex' body within the government, such as the Prime Minister's office or the Ministry of Finance/Economic Development Planning, rather than relying on a single line ministry. The document notes that few national development strategies in Africa currently treat water security or climate resilience as cross-cutting themes.
• Zambia serves as an example of integrating water and climate resilience into national planning. During its Sixth National Development Planning (SNDP) process, which led to the release of the SNDP in January 2011, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning coordinated sector strategies to ensure they were integrated with cross-sectoral issues. This process built upon the integration of IWRM in Zambia's 5th National Development Plan.

APA

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (n.d.). Building on the Foundations of Integrated Water Resources Management. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/WaterSecurity_Brief2_pr3.pdf

Chicago

Climate and Development Knowledge Network. Building on the Foundations of Integrated Water Resources Management. n.d. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/WaterSecurity_Brief2_pr3.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |title=Building on the Foundations of Integrated Water Resources Management |url=https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/WaterSecurity_Brief2_pr3.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climateanddevelopmentknowledgenetworkndbuilding, author = {{Climate and Development Knowledge Network}}, title = {{Building on the Foundations of Integrated Water Resources Management}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, url = {https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/WaterSecurity_Brief2_pr3.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }