The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will convene the 44th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government in Harare on 17 August 2024. The Summit, themed “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustained Economic Growth and Development towards an Industrialised SADC”, emphasises the critical role of science, technology, and innovation in propelling the region towards modernisation and industrialisation.
At this gathering, His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, will assume the chairpersonship of SADC from His Excellency Mr. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola. This leadership transition occurs as the region grapples with multifaceted challenges, including the urgent need for economic diversification and resilience against climatic adversities.
Agenda and Key Discussions
The Summit will address several critical issues, including the report from the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation. Additionally, leaders will review the progress on the implementation of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030, a framework designed to drive regional integration and development.
The discussions will also encompass updates on food security and the ramifications of El Niño-induced droughts and floods that have affected parts of the SADC region. Furthermore, the Summit will assess the strides made in realising the objectives of the preceding year’s theme, “Human and Financial Capital: The Key Drivers for Sustainable Industrialisation in the SADC Region”.
Pre-Summit Events
The 44th Summit is preceded by an array of significant events, setting the stage for the main discussions. These include the 7th SADC Industrialisation Week, held from 28 July to 02 August at the Harare International Conference Centre, aimed at fostering dialogue on enhancing industrial capacities across member states.
Further preparatory meetings include the Senior Officials and Finance Committee Meeting (8-11 August) and the SADC Council of Ministers Meeting (13-14 August), both convened at the New Parliament Building. These discussions are crucial for aligning fiscal and policy frameworks across the region.
On 14 August, the SADC and Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) will host an Investment Forum and Exhibition, facilitating a platform for investment dialogues and partnerships. A public lecture at the University of Zimbabwe’s Diamond Lecture Theatre on 15 August and the SADC Organ Troika Ministerial Committee and Summit on 16 August will follow, culminating in visits to the Geo Pomona Waste Management site and the Museum of African Liberation on 18 August.
Broadcast and Media Coverage
The Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Summit will be broadcast live by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), accessible on Digital Satellite Television (DSTV) Channel 280. The ZBC will provide clean feeds for broadcasters, with further technical details to be disseminated shortly.
As the principal policy-making organ of SADC, the Summit bears the onus of steering the region’s policy direction, particularly in the realms of economic development and regional integration. The forthcoming Summit promises to be a landmark event in consolidating the region’s collective resolve to harness innovation for sustainable growth and development.
