President Hage Geingob, in his capacity as chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, is set to participate in the 43rd Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, slated to convene today and end tomorrow in Luanda, Angola.
Under the theme ‘Human and Financial Capital: The Key Drivers for Sustainable Industrialisation of the SADC Region, the summit aims to address critical factors that contribute to regional industrialisation. This includes bolstering the technical capacity and numbers of human resources within the context of climate change and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, alongside ensuring robust financial resources for more sustainable funding mechanisms.
Geingob will chair the associated summit today and submit the Organ’s report during the main summit. Notably, the SADC Organ under his leadership has achieved significant milestones, including overseeing peaceful elections in Angola, and the Kingdom of Lesotho, and facilitating the peaceful transition of power.
The President’s tenure also witnessed progress toward peace through the SADC mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) in the Cabo Delgado Province. His efforts extended beyond Namibia’s borders, with diplomatic visits to the Kingdom of Eswatini and the convening of various summits to address security and political situations in the region.
The 43rd Ordinary SADC Summit will critically review the progress made on the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2020-2030 and the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Road Map 2015-2063. It will build upon the success of the previous summit’s theme, ‘Promoting Industrialisation through Agro-processing, Mineral Beneficiation, and Regional Value Chains for Inclusive and Resilient Economic Growth’.
The annual Ordinary SADC Summit brings together Heads of State and Government from the 16 SADC member states, along with continental and regional observers. Preceding the summit are meetings of SADC Senior Officials and the Council of Ministers, responsible for policy implementation and development within the community.
The President will depart today and return tomorrow.