The purpose of the GWP SA 2002 work plan is to provide programmatic guidance and focus to the various arms of the partnership in the region. The workplan is guided by the regional vision whose focus is "Equitable and sustainable utilisation of water for social and environmental justice, regional integration and economic benefit for present and future generations." All the activities of the various arms of the regional water partnership, i.e. the member institutions, the GWP SA Steering Committee, the GWP SA secretariat, and country water partnerships will focus on delivering this work plan.

While directly contributing to the four global programmatic objectives, the GWP Southern Africa work plan aims to facilitate a multisectoral network focusing on IWRM operationalization on the ground. Specifically, the 2002 work plan aims at contributing to achieving the following overall programmatic objectives of the partnership:

• Improve of popular awareness & understanding on IWRM within and among the GWP Southern Africa members & key regional stakeholders.
• Encourage and promote cross-sectoral & co-ordinated approaches in water resources development & management among the GWP Southern Africa members & national governments.
• Improve integrated water resources management planning among the GWP Southern Africa members and key regional stakeholders.
• Improve water governance within the GWP Southern Africa members and selected countries.