SADC renews integration drive
DURBAN: THE Southern African Development Community (SADC) has renewed its commitment to accelerating regional integration, strengthening peace and security, promoting sustainable development and advancing shared prosperity across the region.
The commitment was made during the 46th Ordinary Summit of the SADC Heads of State and Government held recently in Durban, South Africa.
The summit was chaired by South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa under the theme: “Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Industrialisation through Infrastructure Development, Agricultural and Critical Minerals Transformation in Pursuit of a Just World.”
Tanzania’s delegation was led by Minister for Defence and National Service Dr Rhimo Nyansaho, who represented President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
According to a statement issued by the regional bloc, the Heads of State and Government took note of the changing global geopolitical and economic landscape and stressed the need for member states to capitalise on emerging opportunities to deepen regional integration, expand trade and investment, mobilise domestic resources and strengthen collective resilience.
The summit noted the measures were critical to advancing sustainable development and the region’s integration agenda.
On public health, the leaders urged member states to strengthen disease surveillance, preparedness and response systems to prevent, detect and effectively respond to disease outbreaks and pandemics.
The summit also stressed the importance of timely information sharing and coordinated regional action, while calling for continued support to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in its response to the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
On regional financing, the summit commended member states that had ratified the Agreement on the Operationalisation of the SADC Regional Development Fund and urged those that had not yet done so to expedite their ratification processes to enable the agreement to enter into force.
“The operationalisation of the Fund is expected to enhance regional resource mobilisation and accelerate the implementation of priority infrastructure, industrialisation and socio-economic development programmes and projects,” the statement said.
The summit also highlighted the importance of agriculture to regional development and food security, urging member states to increase intra-regional trade in agricultural products by removing non-tariff barriers, harmonising standards and improving cross-border logistics.
The measures, it said, would facilitate the efficient movement of food commodities from surplus-producing to deficit areas, contributing to stable food supplies and prices across the region.
In anticipation of climate related shocks associated with El Niño, the summit called on member states to strengthen preparedness through effective early warning systems and drought preparedness measures.
Member states were further encouraged to promote climate-smart agriculture by increasing investment in irrigation development and adopting drought-tolerant crop varieties.
The 46th SADC Summit reaffirmed the region’s collective commitment to resilient, sustainable and inclusive industrialisation through strategic investments in infrastructure, agriculture and critical minerals.
“The deliberations and decisions of the Summit reflect SADC’s continued determination to strengthen regional integration and build a peaceful, secure, climate resilient and prosperous Southern African region for the benefit of its people,” the statement said.
