Zambezi River Basin

The Protocol is operationalised through the Regional Strategic Action Plan (RSAP) for IntegratedWater Resources Management and Development in the SADC Region. The RSAP seeks to ensure that water resources management and development adequately contribute to poverty eradication, regional integration and socio-economic development in a sustainable manner. The Protocol calls for the establishment of shared watercourse agreements and Shared Watercourse Institutions (SWI) to facilitate and coordinate the joint management of shared watercourses. Since the Protocol came into force, SWI have been established on all shared watercourses in the region. SADC Regional Strategic Action Plans (RSAP I, II, III) To facilitate the implementation of the Revised Protocol on Shared Watercourses, strategic action plans extending over periods of five years have been developed by the SADC Water Division since 1998. The main focus of the first Regional Strategic Action Plan (RSAP I) 1999- 2004, was to create an enabling environment for the joint management of regional water resources (SADC 2011a). Recommendations from the review of RSAP I helped to revise and formulate RSAP II 2004-2010. The review concluded that RSAP I “was the most advanced and comprehensive multi-country freshwater programme in the world.” Among the main recommendations was the need to change from a project focus to a programme approach as well as the need to advance from the creation of an enabling environment to water infrastructure development. Highlights from the review of RSAP II in 2009 included completion of integrated water resources planning studies at basin

level; development of basin strategies and databases; and establishment and strengthening of River Basin Organizations (RBOs). The review noted that while the plan was comprehensive and highly relevant to the needs of IWRM and development in SADC, greater emphasis should be placed on a number of emerging issues, such as climate change adaptation, ecosystem approach and the human rights based approach to water (SADC 2011a:11). This formed the focus of RSAP III which runs from 2011-2015. RSAP III , which is anchored in the SADC Vision and the Southern African Vision on Water, Life and Environment, seeks to “strengthen the enabling environment for regional water resources governance, management and development through the application of IWRM at the regional, river basin, Member State and community levels” (SADC 2011b). Conceptual Framework of RSAP III Implementation of the RSAP III is premised on a conceptual framework with three strategic pillars as shown in Figure 5.1. These are Water Governance, Infrastructure Development and Water Management.

RSAP III

Water Governance

Infrastructure Development

Water Management

IWRM as an approach

Figure 5.1

SADC Vision A common future, within a regional community that will endure economic wellbeing, improvement of the standards of living and quality of life, freedom and social justice, peace and security for the peoples of Southern Africa.

Southern Africa Vision for Water An equitable and sustainable utilisation of water for social and environmental justice, regional integration and economic benefit for present and future generations.

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