The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers has concluded its Ordinary Meeting in Antananarivo, setting the stage for the 45th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government scheduled later this week.
Tanzania’s delegation was led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, who joined counterparts from across the 16-member bloc to review progress on the region’s economic integration, political stability, and security cooperation.
The meeting, which saw Madagascar assume the SADC Chairmanship from Zimbabwe, underscored the importance of deepening regional integration as a central driver of shared prosperity.
Ministers examined the status of member states’ financial contributions, the implementation of past directives, and the ratification of legal instruments critical to advancing the SADC agenda.
SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi presented a comprehensive progress report, covering developments in the bloc’s economic growth efforts, peace and security initiatives, and governance reforms.
The ministers also finalised the agenda for the Summit of Heads of State and Government, which will deliberate on key regional priorities for the coming year.
The preparatory programme will continue on August 15 with a Tri-Lateral Meeting of Permanent Secretaries and the Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security, followed on August 16 by the Tri-Lateral Summit of the Organ involving Heads of State and Government.
Tanzania currently chairs these Organ meetings, giving it a central role in steering the bloc’s political and security agenda.
SADC, which comprises 16 Southern African nations, aims to promote sustainable and equitable economic growth, deepen regional integration, and uphold peace and stability.
The Antananarivo meetings are expected to shape policies that will influence the region’s development trajectory over the next year.