By Nevanji Munyaradzi Chiondegwa
The Republic of Zimbabwe assumed the Chairship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Standing Committee of Senior Officials on August 8, 2024, from the Republic of Angola. This marks the beginning of the handover process for the SADC Chairship, which will officially transfer to Zimbabwe during the 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government on August 17, 2024.
In his acceptance speech, the newly appointed Chairperson, Ambassador Albert Ranganai Chimbindi, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe, reiterated Zimbabwe’s commitment to collaborating with all SADC Member States in achieving the goals outlined in the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030.
Ambassador Chimbindi emphasized the importance of intensifying trade facilitation measures to stimulate intra-regional trade and investment within the SADC region. He highlighted the potential of utilizing instruments such as the SADC Protocol on Trade, the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to promote industrialization, enhance competitiveness, and ultimately create decent work opportunities and alleviate poverty for SADC citizens.
Regarding the theme of the 44th SADC Summit, “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustained Economic Growth and Development towards an Industrialised SADC,” Ambassador Chimbindi stated that it presents an opportunity for the SADC region to re-evaluate and refine its collective vision.
The outgoing Chairperson of the Standing Committee of Senior Officials, Ambassador Dr. Nazaré José Salvador, highlighted some of the achievements made during the past year in line with the theme of the 43rd SADC Summit: “Human and Financial Capital: The Key Drivers for Sustainable Industrialisation in the SADC Region,” adopted in August 2023 in Luanda, Angola.
Ambassador Dr. Salvador praised the convening of the SADC Youth Forum on July 3, 2024, in Angola, as a key event that provided a platform for young entrepreneurs and leaders to engage with the 43rd SADC Summit theme. The forum aimed to discuss actions for youth empowerment, inclusion, and participation in the region’s development process.
Recent Comments