*The time has come for SADC to seek innovative ways to mobilise and
generate resources and thereby lessen dependency in its endeavours to fast
track economic regional integration and development, while consolidating
the political gains achieved so far over the years”. *These sentiments were
expressed by the Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Angola
Honourable Dr. George Rebelo Pinto Chikoti during a courtesy call on him by
the SADC Executive Secretary H.E. Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax in Luanda on
January 13th 2014.
The two leaders agreed that the even though SADC has achieved tremendous
successes politically, with stability in the region being the cornerstone
of regional integration, there is potential for improvement
social-economically. In this regard, they reiterated the need to reorient
SADC focus on economic integration and development while upholding peace,
security and political stability as important pillars to regional
integration.
They furthermore called on the region to embark upon innovative ways to
mobilise resources for implementing the SADC regional integration agenda.
They reiterated the need for the region to be self-sufficient and
independent and to promote self-sustaining development on the basis of
collective self-reliance, and the interdependence of Member States.
Innovative ways in resources mobilization will enable SADC to tap available
resources, so as to fast-track development and implementation of key SADC
programmes, particularly the development of regional infrastructure as a
priority.
The importance to finalize the review of the Regional Indicative Strategic
Development Plan (RISDP) was also underscored, and as such, the need to
harmonise and synergize implementation of the RISDP with the Strategic
Indicative Plan for the Organ (SIPO).