3. REGIONAL COOPERATION IN WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT The overall management of water resources shall consolidate SADC goals and objectives of regional cooperation and integrations as follows: 3.1 Water for Economic Integration 3.1.1. Policy: Water resources shall be developed and managed in an integrated manner to contribute to national and regional economic integration and development on the basis of balance, equity and mutual benefit for all Member States. In the SADC context, water resources development and management should contribute to the achievement of the SADC strategic priorities of regional integration and poverty eradication, while recognising the interests and sovereignty of Member States as outlined in the SADC Principles (stated in Article 4 of the Treaty). It is critical to recognise Member States‟ imperatives for national development within the context of this regional integration. Integrated water resources management (IWRM) recognises the inter-connected nature of the hydrological cycle. This requires a river catchment or basin perspective to the management of water resources, even where these cross administrative and international boundaries. Water resources management is understood to include planning the development of water resources, implementing the plans and undertaking all measures for allocation, conservation and controlling the utilisation of the water resource. This understanding reflects the definition of “management of a shared watercourse” contained in the SADC Protocol, as well as definitions of IWRM by GWP in its publication “Integrated Water Resources Management” and the African Development Bank (2000) in its publication “Policy for Integrated Water Resources Management”. Consequently, wherever the term “management” appears it includes “development”, but for the sake of emphasis, the term “development and management” will also be used in the document. 3.1.2. Policy: The Southern African Vision for Water, Life and the Environment shall be the reference point for water resources contribution to achieving regional integration, development and poverty eradication. The Southern African Vision for Water, Life and the Environment in the 21st Century is "Equitable and sustainable utilisation of water for social, environmental justice, and economic benefits for present and future generations" (see Box 1). This embraces the IWRM (see Box 2) approach and SADC strategic priorities and provides an important support to the Regional Policy and Strategy. The Vision is further elaborated in the 8 explicit sub-visions, namely:  Equitable and sustainable social and economic development in southern Africa  Equitable access to water of an acceptable quantity and quality - 17 -