Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Hage Geingob has reiterated Namibia’s dedication to advancing the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region’s development and integration.
He said this while commemorating SADC Day, celebrating 43 years of progress towards development, peace, security, and economic growth alongside the SADC community.
“With the progress that we have made over the past 43 years, I reflect fondly on Namibia’s involvement as a newly formed state that hosted the Summit of Heads of State and Government in 1992, when the Declaration and Treaty formally establishing SADC were signed,” he explained.
This commemoration is taking place at the same time as the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, which is currently underway in Luanda, Angola. Among other objectives, this summit is for President Geingob to pass the Chair of the Organ Troika to the incoming Chair, President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia.
Despite passing the chairmanship on, President Geingob made it clear that Namibia still remains committed to the advancement of the SADC Region. One way of ensuring this, he explained, is through Namibia’s commitment to contributing to a stable energy supply for the country and the SADC Region.
“We are determined to harness our abundant renewable energy potential, particularly in Green Hydrogen production, which will contribute to stable domestic and regional energy supply, and the reduction of global carbon emissions,” the president said.
Additionally, he said, Namibia aims to facilitate regional integration by enabling trade for landlocked neighbouring countries using its harbours, ensuring their connectivity to the sea, and supporting the SADC Region’s development. The president cited the recent use of national ID cards for travel between Namibia and Botswana as a step towards the free movement of people in the region.
However, he explained, Namibia is not just committed to enhancing regional integration in the SADC Region but also to promoting peace in the region. This, he emphasised, is also one of the key roles of SADC.
“Over the years, SADC has evolved into a vibrant regional organisation with a mandate to create a prosperous and peaceful region as part of the African Union Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. Consistent with our continental efforts to promote a stable Africa, SADC is generally peaceful and with a few exceptions we have been able to silence the guns,” he added.
President Geingob stressed that SADC has been committed to promoting peace within the region since its inception 43 years ago. Back then, he recalled, SADC was known as the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) but transformed in 1992, and SADC was formed with the objective to achieve development and economic growth, alleviate poverty, enhance the standard and quality of life of the people of Southern Africa, and support the socially disadvantaged through regional integration.
He therefore encouraged the people of Zimbabwe to approach their upcoming elections peacefully and with a unity of purpose, while respecting the results of the democratic process.
The president also paid tribute to the Founding Fathers of SADC for the sacrifices they made in support of the region for the attainment of political independence, thereby paving the way for economic development.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the Executive Secretary of SADC, Elias Magosi, the Secretariat, member states, and all stakeholders for their unwavering support and commitment to the SADC agenda. Together, we can build a prosperous Southern Africa where all our citizens can enjoy the benefits of inclusive and sustainable development. Happy SADC Day,” President Geingob said.
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