MUNITY SOUTHERN M CO AF T VE N DE LOPM EN CA RI RE REGIONAL STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN IV (2016 - 2020) T U W TO AR D SA C O M MO N FU FOREWORD While 71% of the earth’s surface is covered by water, only 0.01% of all available water comes from renewable fresh water resources accessible in lakes and rivers. As water is such a scarce and finite resource we need to use it sparingly and support all endeavours that protect and sustain it. Not only does water sustain life, it is an engine and catalyst for socio-economic development. As the SADC Region is making strides towards industrialisation, good quality water is key to play the pivotal role in supporting the value chain development. The aspirations of the SADC region’s people as enshrined in the SADC Treaty calls for peace and stability, regional economic integration and poverty eradication. While pessimists have already predicted that “the next wars will be on water”, the SADC region is saying “No”; instead, water is perceived as an instrument for peace and stability. The SADC water sector has been seen to play a major role in promoting transparency, dialogue and very high degrees of cooperation among Member States. The establishment of river basin governing institutions through cooperation agreements among others in the Okavango (OKACOM), Orange-Senqu (ORASECOM), Limpopo (LIMCOM), Cuvelai (CUVECOM) and the Zambezi (ZAMCOM) basins is testimony to this high degree of cooperation working as one family. As I present the fourth Regional Strategic Action Plan (RSAP IV) on Integrated Water Resources Development and Management 2016 – 2020, I’m delighted to inform our readers that our region’s commitment to cooperation has recently earned SADC the highest rating in the world with a score of 100 out of 100. This global comparison of indicators on water cooperation, termed the Water Cooperation Quotient Index 2015, was prepared and released by the international think-tank, Strategic Foresight Group (SFG). This fourth phase of the SADC Water Programme gives effect to the SADC strategic framework, the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP). To ensure that it contributes to the SADC Agenda of regional integration and poverty eradication, its focus is on the development of water infrastructure in the region to improve the assurance of water supply for domestic-, industrial-, energy- and food security. Further, the programme’s start coincides with the announcement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I hereby invite all Member States and Partners to support this programme for the region’s prosperity, attainment of the SADC Goals and SDGs. Dr. Stegomena Lawrence Tax Executive Secretary Southern African Development Community ii A Vehicle to implement the Water Component of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP)