SADC Day celebrations in Brussels
http://www.sadc.int
SOUTHERN AFRICA DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (SADC) DAY CELEBRATIONS IN BELGIUM, BRUSSELS
Brussels, 23 September 2008: The Brussels based SADC Ambassadors will be hosting a Reception and Exhibitions to mark SADC Day on the 24th of September, 2008, at Palais des Colonies in Tervuren, from 18:30 hours to 21:30 hours.
The SADC Group will use the event to showcase the region’s economic products, investment opportunities, the region’s fantastic tourist destinations and rich culture as well as affording guests an opportunity to sample the region’s tasty traditional cuisine.
The SADC Day celebrations aim to increase the Organisation’s profile in the European Union and Belgium in particular. Founded in 1980 as SADCC (Southern Africa Development Coordination Conference), the SADC membership has grown from nine to the current fifteen member states. The Organisation’s Common Agenda include the promotion of sustainable and equitable socio-economic development; the promotion of common political values and the consolidation and maintenance of democracy, peace and security. The Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) provides strategic direction and operationalisation of the Common Agenda.
At the 28th Ordinary SADC Summit that took place from 16-17 August 2008, South Africa assumed the chair of the Regional Development Community under the recurring theme of – regional integration and more specifically full economic regional integration.
As the first milestone in the regional economic integration agenda and in line with the objective of promoting trade and investment in the region, the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA) was launched on the 17th of August 2008.
It is important to note the signing of numerous legal instruments particularly the Gender Protocol, have highlighted the dynamic nature of SADC and its ability to evolve with current global challenges and developments. Work is still in progress on the preparation of the SADC Customs Union Road Map and other trade and economic related programmes. It is encouraging that SADC Member States registered positive economic performance in 2007, and efforts are being made to sustain this progress.
On social and cross-cutting issues, the SADC Heads of State and Government approved the Implementation Plan of the decisions arising from the Poverty and Development Conference, placing the obligation on member states to implement the plan which includes the establishment of the Regional Poverty Observatory.
SADC member states will continue in their commitment to ensure that SADC remains relevant and united in moving resolutely towards full economic integration.
SADC member states include: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Contact: Mr. Phumlani Mfenyana
Tel: +32 2 285 4400
e-mail: africarel@southafrica.be
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