The debate in the region is no longer whether regional cooperation and integration should be pursued, but when, in what sectors, and under what institutional arrangements. Progress to date, especially in regional market integration and sustainable, well-established democracies, has not been without setbacks given the complexity of working with and through regional organizations. Major donors involved in promoting regional market integration include the European Union, the United Kingdom, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank. FY 2002 activities will focus on areas critical to the region's economic integration and growth, such as implementation of a regional free trade area, and development of a finance and investment framework for the region to facilitate foreign investment. The Southern Africa Enterprise Development Fund will continue to address the financial constraints faced by previously disadvantaged enterprises in the region.
Environmental degradation is a major problem in southern Africa.
Continued expansion of livestock, crop production, and clearing of indigenous trees requires that communities and governments pay special attention to management of natural resources. Other major regional problems include latent and potential conflicts over the management of transboundary water and other resources. The 2002 program will build upon this approach as a foundation for a new, more ambitious effort to promote cooperation across national boundaries in the management of resources such as water, wildlife, and ecosystems. Maps State Dept. Visit our contact page to find the appropriate resource.