Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter
SADC is committed to strengthening collaboration with the European Union (EU), focusing on regional integration, peace and security, natural resources management and institutional capacity-building, while exploring strategies to enhance cooperation, the regional bloc’s secretariat has said.
The Secretariat, led by Executive Secretary Mr Elias Magosi, and the EU convened their first quarterly meeting for the financial year 2025-26, this week.
Mr Magosi and head of the EU Delegation to Sadc, Ambassador Petra Pereyra, co-chaired the meeting which focused on key regional and bilateral priorities, including updates on the programming and implementation of EU-funded development programmes.
“The Sadc Secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the EU, focusing on regional integration, peace and security, natural resources management, and institutional capacity building while exploring strategies to enhance cooperation.
“The Sadc-EUD quarterly meeting serves as a regular engagement between the Sadc Secretariat and the EUD in Botswana, aimed at strengthening cooperation and reviewing the implementation of joint programmes,” said Sadc in a communique.
Under the 2021-2027 Multiannual Indicative Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (MIP SSA), Sadc has secured 163,9 million euros to support initiatives in peace and security, natural resources management, trade, strategic corridors, agriculture, digital transformation, and institutional capacity building.
The core objective remains the eradication of poverty and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda.
“In that vein, the EU will continue to tackle challenges related to human development, inclusive and sustainable growth, climate change, environmental degradation, migration and mobility, as well as promote governance, democracy and human rights.
“The objectives of the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (regional MIP) are well aligned with the SDGs and the main components of the UN’s 2030 agenda,” said the EU on the programme.
SADC and the EU continue to maintain a dynamic and evolving partnership, advancing regional integration, economic stability, and sustainable development.
“Their collaboration is implemented under the Neighbourhood, Development, and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI-Global Europe), supporting peace and security, trade and transport facilitation, natural resources management, agri-food systems, institutional capacity building, and digital transformation,” said the SADC Secretariat.
Peter Tanyanyiwa