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TODAY marks the final day set by the Government for the completion of major works related to the successful hosting of the 44th SADC summit on August 17, with minor finishing touches expected to take a few more days.
At the summit, Zimbabwe will take the helm of the regional body, with President Mnangagwa assuming the chair for the next year.
The scorecard reads positive when it comes to the preparations for the summit and the massive work carried out in the last few months.
The Government invested heavily in infrastructure such as improving roads, sprucing up hotels and conference centres and expanding airport facilities, to accommodate the influx of visitors during this period.
The allocation of funds to several agencies and ministries tasked with organising the summit, including the ministries of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services; and Defence, was a masterstroke that ensured success in the preparations.
This has resulted in infrastructural projects being undertaken mainly in Harare, where the summit will be held, and we have all seen the temporary disruptions caused by these major works, albeit for a good cause.
The conference’s venue at the New Parliament building in Mt Hampden is being spruced up. Additionally, a new conference centre and several presidential villas are being built.
The construction and upgrading of roads leading to the new Parliament building ensures smooth rides for the delegates, including the Heads of State and Government expected to attend the Indaba.
The summit allows Zimbabwe to showcase itself to the world, with many visitors expected in the country considering the various activities accompanying the event.
There will be the SADC Industrialisation Week from July 29 to August 2, a permanent secretaries’ meeting from August 8 to 12 and the foreign affairs ministers’ meeting from August 13 to 15, culminating in the actual summit.
Authorities should be commended for pulling out all the stops and working hard to host a successful event.
Apart from sprucing up the infrastructure, other important aspects like strengthening security are being made to guarantee the safety of delegates and participants.
There is no doubt that the Government has been working hard to present the country in the best possible light on this important occasion.
Being held under the theme “Promoting Innovation to unlock opportunities for sustained economic growth and development towards an industrialised SADC”, the summit allows Zimbabwe to showcase its potential on various fronts.
Delegates who were last in Zimbabwe when the country hosted the 34th SADC summit in 2014 will be confronted with a transformed country where several developmental projects have been implemented.
They will notice the new-look Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on arrival and then several other successful projects that form the basis of the development of Zimbabwe.
The summit comes at a time when many issues need immediate solutions to propel development of the region.
These include moving forward the industrialisation agenda; addressing food insecurity following the El Niño-induced drought; the HIV and AIDS pandemic; and armed conflicts, mainly in Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
More efforts are needed towards maintaining the existing peace in the region, while finding lasting solutions to the Mozambique and DRC armed conflicts.
For Zimbabwe to play host to the SADC summit at this crucial juncture shows the region’s faith in the country’s ability to provide a neutral, stable and secure platform for discussion and decision-making.
With its ability to provide a secure environment for the summit, Zimbabwe can prove itself as a stable and dependable member of the regional bloc.
In addition, Zimbabwe’s image will be enhanced by successfully showcasing its capacity to hold high-level events and attract international attention. This is an opportunity for the country to present its other side, as a reliable partner for regional cooperation and integration, which can lead to increased investment and trade opportunities.
By hosting this summit, Zimbabwe diplomatically stands to gain increased visibility and influence in regional affairs, positioning itself as a key player in shaping the SADC agenda.
The country has much to offer to the region, especially in driving programmes to economically empower marginalised populations, with its central location making it the hub of regional trade.
Online Reporter