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South Africa to Host SADC Integrated Committee of Ministers
Meeting Pretoria - South Africa will host the SADC Integrated Committee
of Ministers (ICM) meeting at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg from
Thursday - Friday, 22-23 June 2006. In this regard, South Africa will be represented
by Minister Mandisi Mphalwa and Trevor Manuel. The ICM is the SADC organ
that is responsible for policy direction planning and implementation of SADC Programmes
and Projects including reviewing progress made thereof. South Africa will
host this meeting within the context of its stated commitment to consolidate the
African Agenda through among others participation in SADC institutions. This
ICM annual meeting is significant as it will be the first meeting after the adoption
of the Windhoek Declaration, a framework redefining the relationship between SADC
and its International Co-operating Partners (ICPs) for more effective development
co-operation. Issues on the agenda of discussions will include, among others: - Infrastructure
and services - the ICM will receive reports on the implementation of various
projects and programmes in energy, tourism, transport, communication & meteorology
and water sectors and is expected to approve a number of priorities for this sector,
including the implementation of a competitive electricity market and the trading
system and the associated ancillary services market and balancing mechanism.
- Food,
agriculture and natural resources - the ICM will receive progress reports
on the overall Food Security Situation in the region.
- Trade,
Industry, Finance and Investment - the ICM will consider progress on the seven
priorities approved for 2005, namely, the Facilitation of goods and services market
integration; Enhancing financial and capital markets development; Facilitate attainment
of deeper monetary cooperation; Facilitate attainment of macroeconomic convergence;
and Increasing levels of intra-SADC investment; Foreign Direct investment; Enhancing
productive competitiveness; and Facilitate Effective participation in and compliance
with international multilateral trade agreements.
- Social and
Human Development - the ICM will look at the continued progress in addressing
challenges and potential hindrances to equitable access to quality social services
including education and health through the coordination of common policy approaches
and mobilization of resources as well as for strategic partnerships with key stakeholders.
The
ICM is expected to conclude on Friday, 23 June 2006. Issued by Ronnie
Mamoepa on 082 990 4853 Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag
X152
Pretoria
0001 21 June 2006 | 
