SADC Senior Officials Convene Ahead of Council of Ministers Meeting
The Standing Committee of Senior Officials of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) commenced its meeting on March 4th, 2024, preceding the forthcoming meeting of the SADC Council of Ministers scheduled for March 10th-11th, 2024, in Luanda, Angola.
Ambassador Dr. Nazaré José Salvador, Director of the SADC Desk in Angola’s Ministry of External Relations and Chairperson of the Standing Committee of Senior Officials, emphasized Angola’s commitment to championing programs focused on human and financial capital for sustainable industrialization in the SADC region. This initiative aligns with the theme for the 43rd SADC Summit.
His Excellency Ambassador Téte António, Minister of External Relations of Angola, will preside over the Council of Ministers meeting as the current Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers.
The agenda for the meeting includes a review of the status of SADC Council and Summit Decisions’ implementation, as well as progress on the theme of the 43rd SADC Summit, which centers on “Human and Financial Capital: The Key Drivers for Sustainable Industrialization in the SADC Region.” This theme aims to address critical enablers supporting regional industrialization, such as adequate human and financial resources.
Additionally, Ministers will receive updates on regional integration programs, assess progress made during the current financial year, deliberate on the outlook for the upcoming financial year, and approve the SADC Secretariat’s Annual Corporate Plan and Budget for 2024/2025.
The SADC Standing Committee of Senior Officials serves as a technical advisory committee to the Council of Ministers, acting as a clearinghouse for its agenda. The Council oversees SADC’s function and development, ensuring the proper implementation of policies.
It comprises Ministers from each SADC Member State, typically representing Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Economic Planning, Finance, or Trade ministries, convening twice a year in March and August.
Among the attendees at the meeting of SADC Senior Officials are His Excellency Mr. Elias M. Magosi, the Executive Secretary of SADC, along with Deputy Executive Secretaries, Permanent Secretaries, and other senior officials from SADC Member States.
Additional source: SADC Secretariat
