Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka
Zimpapers Politics Hub
SOUTHERN African Development Community (SADC) ministers responsible for energy and water will meet in Pretoria, South Africa, next week to map out strategies aimed at strengthening regional energy security, improving water resource management and accelerating sustainable socio-economic development across Southern Africa.
The four-day joint meeting, scheduled for July 14 to 17, will bring together ministers, senior Government officials, representatives of the SADC Secretariat, regional institutions, cooperating partners and other key stakeholders to review progress in implementing regional programmes and chart the way forward on emerging priorities.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the SADC Secretariat said the meeting would focus on enhancing regional cooperation in the energy and water sectors, which remain critical pillars for industrialisation, economic integration and sustainable development.
“The meeting will bring together ministers, senior officials, representatives of the SADC Secretariat, regional institutions, cooperating partners and other stakeholders to review progress in implementing regional programmes and projects in the energy and water sectors, while providing policy direction on emerging priorities,” said the Secretariat.
“The Republic of South Africa, as Chair of the relevant SADC Sectoral Committees, will host the meeting.”
Energy security is expected to dominate discussions, with ministers reviewing the status of electricity demand and supply across the region, as well as assessing progress on key regional power projects designed to improve access to reliable and affordable energy.
According to the Secretariat, the meeting will also consider measures to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy technologies and improve energy efficiency as SADC seeks to diversify its energy mix.
“Discussions will also focus on expanding renewable energy deployment, promoting energy efficiency, advancing the implementation of the Dar es Salaam Declaration on Mission 300 to increase electricity access in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, and promoting the development of hydrocarbons infrastructure, including fuel pipelines and storage facilities,” the statement said.
The ministers are also expected to deliberate on emerging technologies such as green hydrogen, smart grids and electric mobility, while reviewing progress towards the development of a regional Just Energy Transition Framework.
