The Regional Water Policy and Strategy is to be implemented through a series of short-term water sector programs via the Regional Strategic Action Plan (RSAP).
RSAP 1 was implemented over the period 1999–2004 (SADC 2005a), to establish an enabling environment for the integrated management of water resources in the region, in support of the achievement of other regional objectives. SADC implemented 31 of the 44 projects (see Table 1) in the categories of:
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Legislation, Policy and Strategic Planning
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Capacity Building and Training
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Awareness Creation, Consultation and Public Participation
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Information Collection, Analysis, Management and Dissemination and Improved National and Transboundary River Basin Management, Planning and Co-ordination
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Infrastructure Investment
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Stand Alone – Special Priority Areas
Implementation of RSAP 1 clearly demonstrated that international cooperation is possible in the management of scarce resources. A good example is the revision and ratification of the Protocol on Shared Watercourses (1995–2003) which provided a framework within which to reach more detailed agreements such as the Incomaputo Agreement. Another good example of international cooperation is the preparation of the Regional Water Policy. RSAP 1 furthermore revealed that local communities can be mobilised and can have an impact on water resources planning.
RSAP 2 (2005–2010) is the current implementation plan, and focuses on water and development through projects and initiatives in four strategic clusters (SADC 2005b):
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Regional Water Resources management, planning and development (assessment, monitoring, planning, operation)
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Infrastructure Development Support (Regional Strategic Water Infrastructure Development Programme (RSWIDP); over 140 projects assessed – 38% in bulk water supply, dams, transfers, and hydropower (Ramoeli 2006 and SADC 2006b)
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Water Governance (implementation of Protocol, stakeholder participation, implementation of policy and strategy)
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Capacity Building (skills training, academic IWRM training and research, support to WD, strengthening RBOs)
Technical study tours are an effective means of capacity development at the institutional level.
Source: Vogel 2010
( click to enlarge )
Projects within the Regional Strategic Action Program 1 and 2.
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Cluster Name
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RSAP 2 Project Ref.
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Project Title
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(project #) RSAP 1
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RSAP 2
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Regional Water Resources Planning and Management
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RWR 1
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15 Expansion of SADC-HYCOS Project
18 Upgrade and Modernise Water Monitoring Systems for Lake Malawi
19 Rehabilitation of Joint Monitoring Systems – Angola and Namibia
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Consolidation and expansion of SADC-HYCOS
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RWR 2
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14 Assessment of Surface Water Resources
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Standards assessment of surface water resources
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RWR 3
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6 Groundwater Management Programme in SADC
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Groundwater Management Programme in SADC
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RWR 4
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12 Economic Accounting of Water Use
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Support of Strategic and integrated Water Resources Planning
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RWR 5
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2 Regional Guidelines for Dam Safety Legislation and Procedures
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Dam Safety, Synchronisation and Emerging operations
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Infrastructure Development Support
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INF 1
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13 Study for Expanding Private Sector Participation in Water and Sanitation Services
27 Control and Development of Lake Malawi and Shire River
28 Study of the Navigability of the Zambezi and Shire Rivers
29 Stabilisation of the Course of the Songwe River
30 Lower Orange River
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Regional Strategic Water Infrastructure Programme
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INF 2
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5 Programme on Water Supply and Sanitation for SADC Region
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Implementation of the Water Supply and Sanitation Programme for SADC
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Water Governance
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WG 1
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8 Implementation Programme for SADC Protocol on Shared Watercourses
30 Lower Orange River
31 Integrated Basin Management Plan for the Okavango River
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Implementation Programme for SADC Protocol on Shared Watercourses
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WG 2
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4 Consultative Forum on Water Issues
20 Awareness-Building for Decision-Makers
21 Involving the Media in Water Issues
24 Promotion of Stakeholder Participation in Water Resources Management
25 Feasibility Study for Creating Fund to Support NGO/CBO Participation in Water Resources Management Activities
26 Programme on Means to Empower Women in Water Issues
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Promotion of public participation in water resource development and management
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WG 3
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1 Regional Guidelines for Review and Formulation of National Water Legislation
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Promotion of Implementation of Regional Water Policy and Strategy
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9 Regional Guidelines for Water Policy and Review in Member-States
10 Develop and implement National Water Sector Strategies
11 Establish Regional Water Sector Policy and Strategy
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Capacity Building
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CB 1
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22 Human Resources Development Programme
17 Training in Surveying, Mapping and Geographic Information Systems
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Skills training for water policymakers, managers and practitioners
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CB 2
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23 WATERNET
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WATERNET
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CB 3
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7 WSCU Capacity Building Project
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Capacity Building Support to the SADC Water Division
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CB 4
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3 Capacity Building for Joint Integrated Basin Management
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Strengthening River Basin Organisations
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CB 5
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WARFSA
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Regional Water Research Fund
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Total No. of Projects
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15
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SADC is currently reviewing RSAP 2 and has initiated the first stages of planning for RSAP 3.
To learn more about the Regional Strategic Action Programs, please refer to the SADC website.
