THE NEW SADC / ICP PARTNERSHIP INTRODUCTION 1. Lessons learnt from the past and current practices of managing cooperation between SADC and the ICPs as well as the changes on both the regional and international levels, call for a new partnership that would: (i) establish a structure for dialogue on the political, policy and technical levels; (ii) create an environment for more and better aid for greater development impact in the SADC region. 2. In providing and using aid as effectively as possible, SADC and the ICPs have to take into account international agreements such as the Rome, Marrakech and Paris commitments which could be categorized in four broad areas i.e. ownership, alignment, harmonization and managing for results. PARTNERSHIP OBJECTIVES Overall Objectives 3. The overall objective of the New Partnership is to contribute towards the achievement of SADC Common Agenda as articulated by SADC, in particular, the attainment of the SADC Mission of promoting sustainable and equitable economic growth and socio-economic development through efficient productive systems; deeper cooperation and integration; good governance; strengthened capacity and participation of stakeholders; and durable peace and security so that the region emerges as a competitive and effective player in international relations and the world economy. Specific Objectives of the Partnership 4. The new partnership aims at: (a) Ensuring regular, institutionalised dialogue at the political, policy and technical levels for constructive engagement, information and experience exchange and the promotion of best practices on development cooperation. (b) Improving coordination between ICPs and SADC in order to ensure more effective development cooperation mechanisms with a view to achieving maximum impact. (c) Ensuring alignment, harmonization and streamlining of operational procedures, rules and other practices in the delivery of development assistance to SADC, taking into account local conditions. 3