ZIMBABWE will next week host the 44th Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting of Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General in Victoria Falls.
The aim is to provide legal oversight and strategic guidance on regional cooperation, governance, and the harmonisation of laws among SADC Member States.
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development of the Republic of South Africa, Honourable Mmamoloko Kubayi, will preside over the meeting in her capacity as Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers of Justice/Attorneys General.
The items to be discussed include the re-operationalisation of the SADC Tribunal to ensure adherence to and proper interpretation of the provisions of the SADC Treaty and its subsidiary instruments; consideration and recommendation of judges for appointment to the SADC Administrative Tribunal; and the Draft Agreement Amending the SADC Treaty, for recommendation to the Council of Ministers for consideration and approval, and subsequently to the Summit for adoption.
Also, on the agenda is:
- the Draft Charter Establishing the SADC Pharmaceuticals Pooled Procurement Services, which seeks to establish an autonomous institution to coordinate regional procurement of medicines and health commodities in Southern Africa, with the objective of reducing costs and improving access to essential medicines among Member States;
- proposals to undertake a review of the SADC Protocol on Legal Affairs in areas requiring revision and/or amendment; and
- the Draft Agreement Establishing the SADC Tourism UNIVISA, which aims to provide procedures and conditions for the issuance of a SADC Tourism UNIVISA for transit or tourism-related stays within the territories of participating State Parties.
The protocols are in line with SADC’s main objectives: to achieve development, peace and security, and economic growth.
