The SADC Standing Committee of Senior Officials meeting has begun at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden during which the current Chairperson of Senior Officials, Ambassador Nazaré José Salvador, Director of SADC Office in Angola, will handover chairmanship to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Albert Chimbindi.
The senior officials meeting heralds the start of the 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and acts as advisor to the Council of Ministers of the regional body.
In his message, Ambassador Salvador applauded strides that the regional body has made towards increased regional integration for development, addressing the challenges of peace and security within the region along with response to climate change, water and power.
He also commended regional response to challenges brought on by the El Nino-induced drought and the appeal launched by Heads of State and Government, saying such moves will continue to push the region towards unity of purpose.
In his acceptance speech, Ambassador Chimbindi said Zimbabwe is ready to support member states in achieving an industrialised SADC along with achieving peace and security in the DRC as peace is a key component of development.
He called on member states to take advantage of policies and instruments such as the SADC Industrialisation Policy and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area for the transformation of the region.
He further said the region must employ climate response mechanisms in order for the region to respond adequately to crises such as El Nino.
