(d) Ensuring synergy and complementarity of assistance provided at the national and regional levels taking into account developments at the continental level. GUIDING PRINCIPLES 5. The New SADC-ICP Partnership is based on fundamental principles of good governance, democracy, and respect for the rule of law and human rights, gender equality, peace, stability and security as enshrined in the SADC Treaty and reiterated in the RISDP and the SIPO. 6. Conducive to the New SADC-ICP Partnership are effective institutional mechanisms for regional cooperation, integration, and the coordination of ICPs at both regional and national levels. PARTNERSHIP COMMITMENTS 7. SADC and ICPs address themselves to the commitments reflected herein. OWNERSHIP 8. SADC exercises effective leadership in coordinating and implementing the SADC Common Agenda (RISDP and SIPO) at regional and national levels. 9. SADC commits to: 10. (a) Exercise leadership in developing, implementing and monitoring the regional development agenda through broad, consultative processes (including the participation of civil society and private sector); (b) Translate the RISDP and SIPO into prioritised results-oriented operational programmes expressed in mid-term expenditure frameworks and annual budgets; and (c) Coordinate regional development assistance at all levels in conjunction with other development resources in dialogue with ICPs. ICPs commit to: Respect SADC leadership and help strengthen SADC’s capacity to exercise it at regional and national levels. ALIGNMENT 11. For Alignment with SADC Strategies: ICPs base their overall support on the SADC Common Agenda – as expressed through the SIPO and the RISDP. 4