President Jacob Zuma leads a South African Delegation to the 31st Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government – August 16-18, 2011

The President of the Republic, President Jacob Zuma will lead a South African delegation to the 31st Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government in Luanda, Angola from 17 to 18 August 2011. During the Summit, South Africa will assume Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, whilst the Republic of Namibia will hand over its Chairship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to the Republic of Angola.

SADC continues to serve as the primary vehicle for Southern African to achieve regional development and integration within Southern Africa. As a member of SADC, South Africa knows that its future is inextricably linked to the future of the African continent and that of its neighbours in Southern Africa.

Notwithstanding its challenges, SADC strives for the achievement of regional integration in the knowledge that it is a fundamental condition for sustainable development of the region. A strong and cohesive SADC, we believe, is critical towards ameliorating unemployment, poverty and underdevelopment in the Southern African region. 

The formal SADC meetings in Luanda will include amongst others, the Standing Committee of Senior Officials Meeting (11-13 August); the Council of Ministers Meeting (15-16 August); the Organ Troika Summit (16 August); and the Summit of Heads of State and Government (HoSG) from 17 to 18 of August). President Jacob Zuma upon arrival on 16 August 2011 will be participating in both the Organ Troika Summit (which will see South Africa assume its Chair) and the Summit of HoSG.

Issues to be discussed at the SADC Council of Ministers meeting will include the various reports that cut across finance, economic, audit, sectoral and cluster meetings of Ministers, regional and continental integration, and the SADC-COMESA-EAC Tripartite Cooperation. The Heads of State and Government for their part are expected to deliberate on various issues, key amongst which are:

• Report of the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation;
• Report of the Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic Integration;
• Overview of the Global Economic Situation;
• Performance of SADC Economy;
• Status of Regional Integration; and socio-economic such as,
• Human and Social Development in the Region; Gender and Development; Food Security; and HIV and AIDS.

The President will be supported by Ms M Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Dr N Dlamini Zuma, Minister of Home Affairs; Dr L Sisulu, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans; Ms N Mapisa-Nqakula, Minister of Correctional Service; Dr S Cwele, Minister of State Security; Ms T Joemat-Pettersson, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; and Ms B Molewa Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs.

For further information please contact Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, on 082 884 5974.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria

15 August 2011