SADC Senior Officials Handover Leadership, Highlight Regional Progress
The handover of the Standing Committee of Senior Officials chairmanship took place as part of SADC's ongoing efforts to address regional priorities and drive sustainable development across Southern Af
HARARE, Zimbabwe - The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Standing Committee of Senior Officials gathered in Harare on Thursday for the handover of the committee's chairmanship, writes Winston Mwale.
Ambassador Dr. Nazaré José Salvador of Angola, the outgoing chairperson, highlighted the committee's work over the past year, which covered a range of regional priorities aligned with SADC's strategic development plan.
"Over the course of our discussions in the past year, this Committee delved into issues that are aligned to the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030 covering Peace, Security and Good Governance; Industrial Development and Market Integration; Infrastructure Development in Support of Regional Integration; Social and Human Capital Development; and Cross Cutting issues," Dr. Salvador said.
The committee explored strategies to accelerate industrialization, promote intra-regional trade, and create an enabling environment for the private sector, he added.
Infrastructure development was also a key focus, with discussions on policies and programs related to transportation, energy, ICT and other critical networks.
On security, the committee addressed the situations in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, working with SADC's Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation to find lasting peace.
The committee also made recommendations that led to the convening of an Extraordinary SADC Summit, where the regional bloc launched a Humanitarian Appeal to support member states affected by drought and floods.
Dr. Salvador expressed gratitude for the unity of purpose and shared commitment demonstrated by the committee members over the past year.
He expressed confidence in the incoming chairperson, Ambassador Albert Ranganai Chimbindi of Zimbabwe, to continue strengthening regional collaboration and integration.
"Ambassador Chimbindi is an accomplished diplomat who brings to this Committee a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the goals of our organization," Dr. Salvador said.
"Through his leadership, I have no doubt that we will continue to strengthen our collaboration and achieve great successes in the pursuit of our regional integration and development."
The handover of the Standing Committee of Senior Officials chairmanship took place as part of SADC's ongoing efforts to address regional priorities and drive sustainable development across Southern Africa.