Story by Oleen Ndori Foreign Desk Editor
THIS Tuesday marks the 45th anniversary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the deepening of regional cooperation and development.
In a statement, SADC celebrated how on this day in 1980, the Southern African Development Community, founders signed the Lusaka Declaration, establishing the then Southern African Development Coordinating Conference (SADCC).
SADCC’s aim was to advance the cause of national political liberation in Southern Africa, promoting effective coordination of utilisation of the specific characteristics and strengths of each country and its resources, along with concerted action to secure international cooperation.
The bloc later on during the August 17, 1992 Summit of Heads of State and Government transformed into the Southern African Development Community, with a focus on the integration of economic development through the signing of the SADC Treaty.
In a statement this Tuesday, the Secretariat said the region reaffirms its commitment to deepening regional cooperation, integration, and development for the people of Southern Africa guided by the SADC Vision 2050 of a peaceful, inclusive, competitive, and industrialised region.
Over the years, regional integration has increased with the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan, tracing progress made in Peace, Security, and Good Governance, Industrial Development and Market Integration, and Infrastructure Development in Support of Regional Integration along with Social and Human Capital Development.
