2.4 Policy Formulation Process 2.4.1 The SADC Water Division adopted a consultative and participatory process for the formulation of the Regional Water Policy. The process has had four distinct phases that has made provision for ongoing feedback to allow the refinement of the outputs from each phase. The policy and strategy formulation process is illustrated in Figure 3 and explained in Table 1. 2.4.2 A strategic decision was taken to fast-track the drafting of the policy, and to elaborate the strategy following the formal approval of the draft policy. This has been done in order to allow the strategy formulation process to be better informed by a more comprehensive policy that has benefited from extensive consultations. 2.5 Conceptual Policy Framework Figure 2 outlines a framework for the policy, in that it contributes towards the broad SADC goals of integration and poverty eradication, by meeting the water related objectives of industrial development (including agro-business), food security, access to water and sanitation, water for peace, energy security and safety from disasters. Underlying this is the objective of sustainable development, or development that does not compromise the environment. Integrated water resources management is the fundamental approach that has been adopted by SADC water sector, which is enabled through the development of tools related to institutional development, capacity building, stakeholder participation, information management, integrated planning, conflict resolution and environmental management. Each of these objectives and tools is addressed in the policy, with integrated water resources management being the common thread that links each to the other. 2.6 Policy Structure 2.6.1 The policy has nine thematic areas which address the water resources management issues outlined in Section 2 or are aimed at optimising specific development opportunities. The main policy areas are: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Regional Cooperation in Water Resources Management: including policy provisions on water for regional integration and socio-economic development; cooperation in water resources management of shared watercourses; inter-sectoral and international cooperation; and the harmonisation of national policies and legislation. Water for Development and Poverty Reduction: containing policy provisions on water for basic human needs and for industrial requirements; water for food and energy security. Water for Environmental Sustainability: containing policy provisions on water and the environment, water quality management, and control of alien invasive species in watercourses. Security from Water-related Disasters: including policy provisions covering people‟s protection from water related disasters; disaster prediction, as well as management and mitigation. Water Resources Information and Management: covering data and information acquisition and management; as well as information sharing. - 11 -