Hon. Haimbe Represents President Hichilema at 45th SADC Summit in Madagascar
Hon. Mulambo Haimbe, S.C, M.P, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, represented President Hakainde Hichilema of the Republic of Zambia at the 45th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government, held in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
The Summit convened under the theme “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC”, reviewing progress in implementing the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030. Leaders also deliberated on peace and security issues across the region.
During the Summit, Hon. Haimbe extended President Hichilema’s congratulations to His Excellency Andry Nirina Rajoelina, President of Madagascar, on his election as Chair of SADC and for hosting the Summit. The Minister also commended His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe, for his leadership as the previous SADC Chair.
Hon. Haimbe emphasised the significance of the Summit theme, stressing the urgent need for collective action to build inclusive, self-reliant, and resilient economies that improve citizens’ quality of life.
He highlighted the region’s abundant natural resources but underscored the importance of integrated efforts to achieve industrialisation, modernise agriculture, and lead the transition to cleaner and greener energy systems.
On regional food and nutrition security, the Minister noted the Summit offered an opportunity to reaffirm commitments to transforming the agriculture sector to address hunger and malnutrition. He highlighted Zambia’s concern over the intertwined crises of climate change, conflict, and chronic poverty, which have left over 21 million children across the SADC region facing hunger emergencies.
Recalling Zambia’s severe drought during the 2023/2024 agricultural season, which affected key sectors and food security for around 5.8 million people, Hon. Haimbe noted that favourable weather during the 2024/2025 season had resulted in a bumper maize harvest of approximately 3.7 million metric tonnes.
He urged regional efforts to increase fertiliser and seed production, adopt climate-smart technologies, advance soil-testing methods, and expand conservation farming, including mechanisation.
Acknowledging the financial challenges faced by Member States, Hon. Haimbe stressed the need for continued contributions to ensure the implementation of regional programmes. He reiterated Zambia’s commitment to collaborating with all Member States to achieve a resilient, industrialised, food-secure, and energy-smart SADC region.
The Summit also encouraged greater involvement of the private sector to harness regional opportunities aligned with the Summit theme. The gathering was preceded by the Council of Ministers Meeting from 12th to 14th August 2025 and the Organ Troika Summit on 16th August 2025.
