the transport, communications and meteorology infrastructure, equipment, human resources, technology and services represent the collective patrimony of the Region and comprise assets of significant strategic value; their transport, communications and meteorology networks are essentially interdependent and that a collective benefit may be derived from greater integration and co-operation between these networks; regional peace and security are prerequisites for economic growth and prosperity; all facets of their regional and domestic policies are horizontally and vertically interactive and thereforee need to be co-ordinated to their mutual advantage; economic and institutional reform must be undertaken at both regional and national level in a multifaceted manner and in accordance with appropriate time frames to provide an environment within which the transport, communications and meteorology sectors can prosper and grow; regional co-operation must be given a collective impetus through public and private sector collaboration and support; public sector support is required in providing a comprehensive, transparent and predictable enabling policy, legal and regulatory environment within which service providers, customers and labour may fruitfully interact in the transport, communications and meteorology sectors in collaboration with international co-operating partners and all other stakeholders; public and private sector service providers have made a significant contribution to the regional economy; broad-based public and private capital investment in infrastructure and service provision, human resource development, research and development is an essential pre-condition for regional growth and prosperity; the regional private sector requires targeted support measures and guidelines to develop its production and investment capacity and that joint ventures may contribute towards capacity enhancement; labour forms an integral component of the transport, communications and meteorology sectors and is central to their growth and prosperity; other sectoral activities have a fundamental impact on the transport, communications and meteorology sectors; concrete results must be achieved at the earliest opportunity as an urgent priority, while acknowledging that the achievement of collective and individual objectives of the transport, communications and meteorology sectors is a long-term process requiring continuous planning, monitoring and review; WISHING to contribute to the harmonious, balanced, equitable and sustainable development of the SADC; HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS -