elaborated in the SADC Common Agenda which includes, among its policies, the promotion of sustainable utilisation of natural resources.  The Southern African Vision for Water, Life and Environment (herein sometimes called the "Southern African Water Vision”) adopted in March 2000, which promotes “equitable and sustainable utilisation of water for social and environmental justice, regional integration and economic benefit for present and future generations”. Water is therefore seen as a driving force to a better future for the people of Southern Africa. The Vision is further elaborated into eight subvisions with respect to key sectors (see Box 1). Box 2. Dublin Principles of IWRM 1. Fresh water is a finite and vulnerable resource, essential to sustain life, development and the environment. 2. Water development and management should be based on a participatory approach, involving users, planners and policy-makers at all levels. 3. Women play a central part in the provision, management and safeguarding of water. 4. Water has an economic value in all its  The Revised SADC Protocol on Shared competing uses and should be recognised as an economic good. Watercourses, which entered into force in September 2003, whose overall objective is “to foster closer cooperation for judicious, sustainable and coordinated management, protection and utilisation of shared watercourses and advance the SADC agenda of regional integration and poverty reduction”, contains principles and provisions for water resources management in the region.  The Dublin Principles for integrated water resources management (IWRM) (enunciated in the 1992 Dublin Statement on Water and Sustainable Development promulgated by the International Council of Water and Development) are commonly accepted as representing best water management practice (see Box 2). In addition, a widely accepted definition of IWRM is provided by the Global Water Partnership (GWP), which states that it is “a process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in a equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems”. 1.2.2 The policy is being formulated following the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) targets to which all SADC Member States are formally committed. The MDG and WSSD water-related targets of increasing access to water and sanitation, reduction of poverty, increasing food security and improving environmental sustainability all have a significant impact on water resources management at national and regional level. In addition, the SADC Member States subscribe to the vision and goal of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), an African development initiative conceived by African leaders, aimed at socio-economic development and poverty reduction on the African continent. This is to be achieved, through integrated development of key sectors including agriculture, infrastructure (including transport, and water resources), human resources, economic and corporate governance, and regional integration. Therefore the SADC Regional Water Policy should guide SADC to achieve the MDG and NEPAD development goals and objectives. -3-