ABSTRACT
Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) has been identified as one of the basic water resources related policy approaches in several recent important commitments and recommendations, such as those of the Johannesburg Summit and World Water Forums. In the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, the preparation of IWRM and water efficiency plans by 2005 for all major watersheds of the world was one of the two major water targets. The inclusion of IWRM as one of the standard components of Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (the documents that are used as the baseline for targeting donor funds) has recently been discussed. This would still enhance the political role of IWRM. IWRM aims to develop democratic governance and promotes the balanced development of water resources for the reduction of poverty, social equity, economic growth and environmental sustainability.
