adminLt-Gen Sibanda said this at a dinner for delegates attending the just ended Sadc Inter State Defence and Security Committee Human Resources Working Group meeting on Thursday night.
“It is indisputable that tourism remains one of the pillars of our economies and to this end Zimbabwe and Zambia are preparing to co-host the 20th UNWTO General Assembly Conference August this year.
“We sincerely acknowledge and appreciate efforts being made by Sadc member states in co-ordinating efforts towards making this regional showcase a success.
“It is my fervent hope that the hosting of this magnanimous event will have spillover effects into the region as a whole,” he said.
Zimbabwe and Zambia will co-host the UNWTO General Assembly in August.
Lt-Gen Sibanda commended the work being done by the ISDSC HRWG in having an efficient Sadc Standby Force.
The HRWG plays a crucial role by ensuring that the Sadc Standby Force is adequately staffed and prepared to undertake any peacekeeping or peace enforcement mission assigned to it.
He also commended efforts by the group to increase female representation in the region’s defence forces to the agreed 30 percent threshold by 2015 as agreed by Sadc.
The ISDSC was established in 1996 with a mandate to oversee defence and security matters in the region and beyond.
It is made up of 10 working groups that focus on various aspects that relate to operations and conduct of the defence services.
The HRWG is part of the 10 working groups.
Online Reporter