Harare, (New Ziana) – Southern African Development Community (SADC) member countries should move away from rhetoric and start delivering tangible outcomes that improve the lives of their citizens, a senior government official has said.
Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Albert Chimbindi said this while addressing senior officials attending the 34th SADC Committee of Ministers of Trade and the 24th Ministerial Taskforce on Regional Integration at the new Parliament building in Mt Hampden on Tuesday to review and refocus efforts on economic integration, sustainable development, and policy coordination.
Chimbindi, who is also the chairperson of the senior officials, described the gathering as a pivotal moment in the region’s push for deeper integration and sustainable development.
“Your presence here today underscores our shared dedication to advancing the ideals of regional integration, inclusive economic transformation, and sustainable development under the auspices of our Southern African Development Community (SADC),” he said.
With the theme centred around reviewing the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP), Chimbindi underscored that the gathering was not just another bureaucratic exercise.
“The RISDP is not just a technical document; it is the embodiment of our regional aspirations. It articulates our collective vision and provides a structured roadmap to achieve deeper integration, improved economic performance, and enhanced well-being of the citizens of SADC.”
He highlighted key areas of progress across the region, including modest gains in intra-regional trade, infrastructure development in transport and energy, policy harmonisation in critical sectors like education and health, and a collective response to humanitarian and security challenges.
“Our review process is timely and essential. It challenges us to honestly acknowledge the shortcomings and constraints that have impeded optimal implementation,” he said.
Chimbindi pointed to global realities shaking the foundation of economic cooperation, namely the lingering effects of COVID-19, climate change, geopolitical upheavals, and the disruptive pace of technology.
He called for bold and strategic reforms, emphasizing the need to improve coordination mechanisms, strengthen institutional architecture, and ensure that regional programs are supported by adequate resources.
“Experience shows that we need to enhance the effectiveness of our monitoring, evaluation, and reporting mechanisms,” he said.
Chimbindi outlined a focused agenda for the meeting, urging delegates to tackle enduring obstacles to integration, accelerate harmonisation of trade regulations, fortify regional value chains, and seize the potential of digital innovation and green technologies.
“The SADC citizens do not measure our success by the length of our documents or the number of meetings we hold,” he cautioned. “It is the positive impact that our meetings, decisions, and actions bring to lives and livelihoods that matters.”
New Ziana
