Deputy Minister Ebrahim arrives in Kinshasa, DRC to participate in the SADC Council of Ministers, 24-26 February 2010

Pretoria- International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim and Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Thandi Tobias-Poloko arrived  in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) today Wednesday, 24 February 2010, to participate in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers meeting from 25 to 26 February 2010.

South Africa participates in the SADC Council of Ministers' meeting within the context of strengthening SADC which remains the primary vehicle to achieve regional development and integration. In addition SADC, as one of the Regional Economic Communities on the continent, is regarded as a building block in the consolidation of the African Agenda and wider continental integration.

 The Council of Ministers meeting will be preceded by the Standing Committee of Senior officials and the Finance Committee meeting. 
Accordingly, the SADC Council of Ministers' session will consider the following:

• The Regional Food Security Situation,
• Establishment of the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development (CCARDESA),
• A Review the Application of the SADC Quota System,
• The establishment of the Zambezi Watercourse Commission , and
• A report of the Finance Committee. 

It is expected that the Council of Ministers will discuss the Implications of the global economic crisis on the region, Institutional arrangements for the SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA); a report on the EPA Processes; progress made in the Eastern and Southern Africa and East African Community EPA and the proposed COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite FTA as well as the SADC monetary Integration. 

Deputy Minister Ebrahim and his delegation will return to South Africa on Friday, 26 February 2010.

For more information contact the Chief Director for Public Diplomacy, Mr. Saul Kgomotso Molobi on 082 940 1647.
Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag x 152
Pretoria
0001
24 February 2010