dyton mupawaenda
Foreign Affairs Ministers have started arriving for the SADC Council of Ministers to be held in Harare today.
The Council of Ministers meeting will review the SADC Annual Corporate Plan and Budget for the 2025/2026 Financial Year to interventions in support of key regional priorities outlined in the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP 2020-2030).
The meeting was preceded by the SADC Standing Committee of Senior Officials, the Finance Committee meeting and the meeting of Senior Officials and Key Experts on the implementation of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030, that were held at the New Parliament Building from March 4 to March 7.
The Council consists of Ministers from each of the 16 SADC Member States; usually from the Ministries responsible for Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Economic Planning Finance or Trade, and meets twice a year in March, and August. @RuzvidzoWallace
Magosi expresses gratitude to Zimbabwe for hosting SADC meetings
The Executive Secretary is now giving his welcome remarks.
He started by thanking the Ministers for attending the Council despite their busy schedules.
Mr Magosi expressed gratitude to Zimbabwe for the great partnership with the SADC Secretariat, asserting that Zimbabwe has become the Second home of the regional bloc as member states have gotten a better appreciation of the excellent country it is.
Since assuming the SADC Chairmanship in August last year, Zimbabwe has hosted a considerable number of the regional bloc’s meetings, including an Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State.
Peace and security remains critical to the region
Mr Magosi said peace and security remains critical to the region; hence, the regional body is working towards realising a lasting peace in eastern DRC
SADC, he said, is committed to ensuring the independence of the DRC
Mr Magosi has ended his remarks.
SADC must take ownership of its development – Prof Murwira
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira, the host of today’s meeting, is now giving his remarks.
He said SADC must take ownership of its development.
“The SADC we want can only be built by its own people,” he said.
Prof Murwira said today’s Council sitting will deliberate on the operationalisation of the regional development fund.
He added that the regional bloc’s decisions should be informed by the needs and priorities of its people.
He has ended his remarks.
The opening session has ended and the closed session has commenced. The media has thus been asked to leave.
The closing ceremony will be held on Friday, with Prof Murwira expected to give the closing remarks.
SADC Executive Secretary Mr Elias Magosi arriving for the SADC Council of Ministers closing ceremony. @RuzvidzoWallace
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira, as well as other regional Foreign Affairs ministers, have started arriving for the SADC Council of Ministers closing ceremony.@RuzvidzoWallace
SADC Council of Ministers end
SADC is prioritising the implementation of decisions made towards the betterment of livelihoods across the region, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira has said.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the SADC Council of Ministers in Harare today, Prof Murwira said the regional bloc was working towards the realisation of its goals.
“We have noted the progress made in the implementation of our Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2020-2030 and the attendant challenges,” he said.
“We all agree that these challenges provide an opportunity for us to learn, rethink and restrategise in this ever-changing international system.
“As we move forward, it is important to prioritise the implementation of our decisions and ensure that our words translate into tangible progress for the benefit of all people.”
Online Reporter