SADC Executive Secretary Engages Ambassadors in Washington to Strengthen Regional Cooperation
The Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), H.E. Mr. Elias Magosi, convened with Ambassadors representing SADC Member States in the United States to deepen diplomatic ties and accelerate regional collaboration. The Courtesy Meeting took place on the sidelines of the 2025 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.
During the meeting, H.E. Magosi emphasized the vital role of SADC Ambassadors in championing the region’s interests abroad and emphasized the importance of the SADC-USA Dialogue Forum, a platform endorsed by the SADC Council in 2024. This Forum is designed to enhance cooperation with the U.S. Government on peace, security, and sustainable development.
The Executive Secretary also briefed Ambassadors on the SADC-USA Regional Development Objective Agreement (RDOAG), a USD 223 million initiative signed in 2023 that supports economic growth, youth empowerment, democracy, health, and environmental sustainability through 2027.
Ambassadors were updated on the Mid-Term Review of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP 2020–2030), an important step in reassessing progress and adjusting strategies to meet evolving regional and global challenges.
H.E. Magosi addressed growing concerns over the impact of recent U.S. tariffs on SADC Member States and called for strengthened political and diplomatic efforts to mitigate economic disruption. The discussion also touched on engaging international partners and the private sector to mobilize investment and expand intra-regional trade.
Her Excellency Margaret Mensah-Williams, Ambassador of Namibia and Dean of the SADC Ambassadors, reaffirmed the group’s commitment to engaging U.S. stakeholders to drive forward SADC’s integration and development agenda.
The meeting was hosted by H.E. Agostinho Van-Dúnem, Ambassador of Angola, and concluded with a shared commitment to deepen cooperation and foster strategic partnerships in support of the region’s long-term goals.
H.E. Magosi was joined by senior officials from the SADC Secretariat, including representatives from policy planning, communications, energy, finance, and investment.
