Story by Peter Chivhima
THE region is accelerating efforts to harmonise laws and modernise the legal framework as part of a broader drive to strengthen regional integration and build resilience in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
This comes as Zimbabwe will host the SADC meeting of Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General here in Victoria Falls starting this Monday.
The gathering is expected to provide legal oversight and strategic guidance on regional cooperation, governance, and the harmonisation of laws among SADC Member States.
It will also review progress on various legal and institutional matters within the region.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mrs Vimbai Nyemba highlighted some of the issues to dominate the discussions.
“Provisions relating to anti-money laundering to include provisions on countering Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing, protocol on trade, including those concerning SADC Rules of Origin, application of safeguard measures, elimination of non-tariff barriers to trade and Trade facilitation measures are some of the protocols to be discussed.”
The meeting is also expected to provide recommendations to the SADC Council of Ministers.
“The meeting considered the Draft Agreement Amending the SADC Treaty for recommendation to the Council of Ministers and Summit; the Draft Charter establishing the SADC Pharmaceuticals Pooled Procurement Services to coordinate regional medicine procurement and improve access to essential medicines; proposals to review the SADC Protocol on Legal Affairs; and the Draft Agreement establishing the SADC Tourism UNIVISA to facilitate transit and tourism within participating Member States,” Mrs Nyemba stated.
South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Honourable Mmamoloko Kubayi, is expected to chair the meeting aimed at promoting regional dialogue, cooperation and integration within SADC.
