The question that arises very quickly when addressing sustainable management of water resources, whether through an IWRM approach or not, is “how do we know progress is being made?” This is a very important question as it links to the suitability and effectiveness of laws and institutions and also the strategies and approach being used. Given the core principles behind the IWRM approach of economic efficiency, social equity and environmental sustainability we have no way to make these visible and test them unless there is a method to answer the question posed above. Indicators provide an effective tool to measure progress and performance and will be developed as an integral part of water resources management planning (within Strategic Plans, Catchment Plans, work plans of RBOs). As part of its programme on strengthening the capacity of River Basin Organisations (RBOs) to manage water resources, Cap-Net will host a planning meeting with RBOs and capacity building networks in Africa. It will be held at the Cap-Net offices in Pretoria South Africa.

Meeting objectives

• Development of common indicators for different water management functions. This will be done by capacity building networks and key RBO management staff.

• Based on the priorities of different RBOs, a set of minimum indicators will be developed, to be reported across the basins. This will be followed by the development of a common system of assessment and documentation that will lead to comparable results.

• Development of work plans clearly showing who (within the RBO staff) will complete the indicators, the time frame, and timing of the feed-back meetings.