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Policy recommendations

Water security in the region can only be achieved through the development of water resources strategies that provide security against variable climatic and hydrological regimes, particularly droughts. The future of water resources planning is based on the implementation of comprehensive strategies on transnational integrated water resources development plans in accordance with SADC's aim of improving the socio-economic status of its member states.

The Water Sector and its organs need to be sustained. The Water Sector Programme of Action, if properly implemented will go a long way in achieving its objectives of poverty alleviation, industrial development and food security. This forms the core of the Southern African Vision for Water and the framework for action.

The Regional Strategic Action Plan for Integrated Water Resources Development and Management in SADC Countries (1999-2004) and Sharing Water in Southern Africa and Water for the 21st Century: Vision for Action, summarize the views and strategies which have to be taken to ensure provision of safe, sustainable and adequate water as follows:

• The planning and management of accessibility to safe water. This can be done through the establishment of policies that ensure long-term sustainability, development of a tariff structure that ensures social equity and cost recovery and an integrated planning process.

• Legislative and institutional arrangements necessary to promote integrated development and management of water resources. There is a need to continue harmonizing the region's individual state water laws and institutions, in order to promote a common understanding, vision and sense of purpose.

• Strengthening government's role in creating an enabling environment for water supply programmes. There is need to promote the participation of women and community ownership of programmes. The private sector, parastatal organizations and NGOs need to be involved in the implementation of water programmes in line with national priorities.

• Establishment of an appropriate regulatory framework to ensure accountability and equity in service provision.

• Protection of water resources through water conservation strategies and efficient utilization of available water. There is also need for adequate assessment and monitoring and integrated catchment management.

• Capacity-building which can be achieved through appropriate training and education programmes as well as mobilization of financial resources for research.

At the regional level, policies should be adopted to ensure effective intra-regional co-operation among member states, for example, harmonizing of development programmes for the use of mineral, energy and water resources.

“Establishment of joint facilities for applied research, specialist services, training and participation in multinational projects and enterprises for the exploitation, production and processing of usable natural resources” is key, according to the Lagos Plan of Action.

Economies, which rely on production of natural resources, need to co-ordinate and harmonize their positions in all international negotiations on raw materials so that their interests are protected.

It is important to institute measures to collect relevant data and to ensure the best possible storage and utilization of data and the establishment of, and support for, existing documentation centres at the national and regional levels. Measures should be taken to ensure sovereignty through the establishment and development of human and institutional infrastructure to ensure indigenous technological capabilities in the exploration, processing and exploitation of natural resources.

To achieve water security, there is need to develop water resource strategies that provide security against variable climatic and hydrological regimes, particularly droughts.The important feature in the future of water resources planning is the need for comprehensive transnational integrated water resources development plans for international river basins, to achieve SADC's overall objectives. The planning and implementation of the plans requires strong river basin organizations. The creation and strengthening of these bodies should therefore be given priority. The Protocol on Shared Watercourse Systems is a milestone in the crucial role of joint management. It provides a sound basis for the creation and strengthening of the river basin organizations.

Despite differences in the nature, existence and use of resources, the water sector can draw some valuable lessons from successes scored by other sectors in the areas of cooperation and integration. Of special note is the energy sector, which has been active in establishing a regional power grid. SADC Water Sector should therefore extend its intersectoral co-operation in future.

SADC has embarked on, and committed itself, to a long journey towards regional integration in the water sector. This goal appears in sight, however a lot of work still needs to be done. This will require sustained political commitment and an enormous amount of effort for the goal to be fully achieved. This may take a substantial amount of time.

Clearly, SADC has correctly identified water as critical integrating factor. Within the context of the constraints outlined above, the SADC region appears to be on the correct path towards regional integration in the water sector.

The overall SADC Water Sector objective is to promote cooperation in all water matters in the region for the sustainable and equitable development, utilization and management of water resources and contribute towards the improvement of the quality of life of the people of the region could soon be realized.

Should this goal be attained, a significant step towards the implementation of the Lagos Plan of Action would have been made. This would go a long way towards facilitating a smoother transition of regional groupings in the AEC as envisaged in the Lagos Plan of 1980.1