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The 2-day Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers meeting has opened in Pretoria, South Africa, with Zambia calling for deeper regional cooperation and greater resilience among Member States.
The meeting brings together Ministers responsible for Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation to deliberate on strategies aimed at strengthening regional integration, development and economic stability.
The session is being chaired by Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.
Speaking on the sidelines of the gathering, Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mulambo Haimbe underscored the need for enhanced collaboration in strategic sectors such as energy and natural resources to help the region withstand global shocks.
“We must be able to withstand global shocks. Developments affecting petroleum supply in other parts of the world show the importance of closer cooperation within SADC,” Haimbe said.
He added that by working closely together—including with Member States that possessed significant energy resources—the region could reduce reliance on external markets and improve its self-sufficiency.
Meanwhile, Ronald Lamola urged Member States to deepen cooperation in industrialisation, agriculture and energy transition to improve livelihoods and broaden economic opportunities across the region.
Also addressing the meeting, Elias Mpedi Magosi, Executive Secretary of SADC, emphasised that peace and stability remained fundamental for sustainable development and economic growth.
Haimbe is accompanied by Etambuyu Anamela Gundersen, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Norman Chipakupaku, National Coordinator of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit; Pamela Chisanga, Zambia’s Permanent Representative to SADC and High Commissioner to Botswana; and Grace Mutembo, Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa.
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