The president has also expressed appreciation towards SADC’s tremendous strides in areas of trade, infrastructure development, peace and security, health, education and food and security. PRESIDENT Edgar Chagwa Lungu has re-affirmed Zambia’s position on the implementation and realisation of all Southern African Development Community (SADC) protocols and programs in order to enhance development in the region.
Speaking in Botswana Gaborone during the 35th SADC summit for heads of state and governments, president Lungu said the Zambian government supports the initiative aimed at broadening the markets under the free trade areas.
He expressed his appreciation towards SADC’s tremendous strides in areas of trade, infrastructure development, peace and security, health, education and food and security.
The president noted that, “Our countries if taken individually cannot provide attractive markets and destinations for investments; we should therefore accelerate our integration efforts so as to accrue the expected benefits from our collective efforts.”
President Lungu urged African countries to accelerate economic growth and sustainable development for the mutual benefit of their citizens.
He explained that more can be achieved if more energy is expanded in the implementation of front-loading industrialisation and market integration, the regional infrastructure development master plan and its energy projects and many others.
“Despite the positive regional and global economic outlook, our countries face new social, economic, political and security challenges, some intractable, that could have an adverse impact on us,” he said.
President Lungu said the region still faced several challenges but was confident that through concerted efforts and visionary leadership, these challenges could be overcome.
And the incoming SADC chairperson Lt. Gen Seretse Khama lan Khama, in his acceptance speech assured the member states that he “would continue from where the former Chair left to double up the performance in an effort to sustain the vision of the regional grouping.”
Lt. Gen. Khama, who is also Botswana president thanked president Robert Mugabe for his wise counsel and commitment to strengthening the mechanisms in place.
The Summit was also attended by the following Heads of State and Government and or their representatives:
Botswana: H.E. President Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama
Swaziland: H.M. King Mswati III
Madagascar: H.E. President Hery Rajaonarimampianina
Mozambiqe: H.E. President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi
Namibia: H.E. President Dr. Hage G. Geingob
South Africa: H.E. President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma
Zimbabwe: H.E. President Robert Gabriel Mugabe
Lesotho: Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili
Angola: H.E. Vice President Manuel Domingos Vicente
Seychelles: H.E. Vice President Danny Faure
United Republic of Tanzania: Rt. Hon Prime Minister, Mizengo Kayanza Pinda
DRC: Hon Raymond Tshibanda N’tungamulongo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Malawi: Hon George Chaponda, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International cooperation
Mauritius: Hon. Marie Joseph Moël-Etienne Ghislain Sinatambou, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration & International Trade