Ambassadors representing Member States of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) based in Washington D.C, United States of America, have been called upon to use their strategic diplomatic positions to support SADC’s regional integration, cooperation and socio-economic development.
The Executive Secretary of SADC, His Excellency Mr. Elias M. Magosi made the call on 15 April 2024 during a meeting with SADC Ambassadors based in Washington DC on the margins of the 2024 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. The meeting was hosted by His Excellency Mr. Agostinho Van-Dúnem, Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to the United States in his capacity as the Chairperson of the SADC Ambassadors in Washington D.C.
During the meeting, the H.E. Magosi briefed the Ambassadors on some of the key decisions emanating from the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government and Council of Ministers with the view to keep the Ambassadors abreast of the high-level decisions of regional importance.
H.E. Magosi also highlighted the progress that SADC region has made in driving forward the regional integration and development agenda.
On the relationship between SADC and USA, H.E. Magosi reiterated the influential role of the United States on the international stage. On this note, H.E. Magosi briefed the Ambassadors on the decision to establish SADC-USA Forum as a platfrom for engagement.
H.E. Magosi commended the Ambassadors for initiating the engagements with the United States Government on the establishment of the SADC-USA Dialogue Forum which provide an excellent opportunity to strengthen and deepen cooperation with the US Government towards the implementation of the regional integration agenda, beyond the current cooperation facilitated through the Regional Development Objective Agreement (DOAG 2023–2027) to promote cooperation between SADC and the Government of the United States in the areas of economic growth, democracy and governance, health, youth environment and climate change.
The Executive Secretary urged Ambassadors to share information on potential partnerships that can be explored with the US private sector players and relevant development partners based in Washington DC, with a view to mobilise resources, establish strategic partnership towards supporting the implementation of the priorities of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP 2020-2030).
The SADC Executive Secretary Commended the Ambassadors for commemorating the SADC Day annually thereby providing a unique opportunity to raise awareness about SADC’s goals, activities and impact to the diplomatic community and stakeholders in Washington DC.
Her Excellency Margaret Mensah-Williams, Ambassador of the Republic of Namibia in Washington DC, representing His Excellency, Onkokame Kitso Mokaila, Ambassador of Botswana, and Dean of Ambassadors in Washington D.C, highlighted that the Committee has been active in engaging US Government officials, Think Tanks, International Organisations and Private Sector to promote SADC’s vision and foster development partnerships for accelerated SADC’s regional integration.
The meeting was attended by Ambassadors and representatives from Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and the United Republic of Tanzania.
The SADC Executive Secretary was accompanied to the meeting by Dr Mubita Luwabelwa, Director for Policy, Planning and Resource Mobilisation at the SADC Secretariat, Ms. Kelejwang Moichubedi, Executive Assistant to the SADC Executive Secretary and Mr. Innocent Mbvundula, Communications and External Relations Officer.
