Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania — 24 June 2025 — The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), in collaboration with the Ministry of Water of the United Republic of Tanzania, successfully convened a two-day capacity development workshop entitled “Training on Confidence Building in Resolving Transboundary Water Disputes – An Overview and Application.” The workshop was held in Dodoma earlier this week.
A total of 31 participants completed the training and received certificates, marking an important step toward strengthening national and regional capacity for the cooperative management of shared water resources. The programme focused on practical approaches to building trust, fostering dialogue, and promoting peaceful and sustainable solutions in transboundary water governance.
The workshop was delivered by Prof. David Feldman, Adjunct Professor of Transboundary Water Cooperation and Policy, and Ms. Sogol Jafarzadeh, UN and Government Relations Coordinator and Gender and Capacity Building Focal Point for Africa at UNU-INWEH. The training addressed pressing challenges in shared basin management by emphasizing confidence-building as a cornerstone of effective transboundary water cooperation.
Drawing on global case studies, conflict databases, and established best practices, the programme equipped participants with analytical tools and negotiation strategies to promote transparency, mutual understanding, and mutually beneficial outcomes. Through expert lectures, interactive discussions, and a role-playing exercise simulating real-world disputes, participants strengthened their ability to contribute to national coordination efforts and regional and international cooperation frameworks.
The workshop also provided an opportunity to further strengthen national working groups and task forces by identifying key national priorities and developing strategies that enhance domestic coordination while supporting broader global water governance objectives.
UNU-INWEH extends its sincere appreciation to Eng. Mwajuma Waziri, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water, for her warm welcome and continued support to the UNU-INWEH delegation. The Institute also acknowledges the valuable contributions of Robert K.M. Sunday, Alex N. George, and Tumaini MwamYalla, whose efforts were instrumental in the successful coordination of the workshop.
This initiative reflects the continued commitment of UNU-INWEH and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania to advancing evidence-based policy solutions, capacity development, and collaborative action to address transboundary water challenges in Africa and beyond.
During the same week, the 2025 AccelNet PEER2PEER Workshop, supported by the United States National Science Foundation (NSF), was held on 25–26 June at the University of Dar es Salaam. The workshop brought together project partners and UNU-INWEH experts from across regions to explore advanced technologies for transboundary water resources management. Discussions underscored the interlinkages between science diplomacy, global water security, and peacebuilding, fostering new partnerships and strengthening cross-regional collaboration.
