SADC Officials Meet in Bulawayo Ahead of Regional Ministers' Summit
Senior officials from Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states convened in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, to prepare policy recommendations for the upcoming cluster meeting of ministers responsible for transport, ICT, information, and meteorology.
Delicious Mathuthu 
Bulawayo — Senior officials from Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states on Monday, June 22, began a high-level meeting in Bulawayo to prepare policy recommendations and regional programmes for consideration by ministers responsible for transport, information and communication technologies, information and meteorology later this week.
The officials are meeting ahead of the SADC Cluster Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Transport, ICT, Information and Meteorology scheduled for Friday, June 26, in Bulawayo.
The technical meeting is reviewing progress made in implementing regional programmes and examining policy proposals aimed at strengthening transport systems, digital connectivity, information dissemination and meteorological services across the region.
Addressing delegates, Chairperson of the meeting and South Africa's Director-General in the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, Nonkqubela Thathakahle Jordan-Dyani, said the gathering was critical in advancing regional integration through infrastructure development and digital transformation.
She said member states needed to continue strengthening policy coordination and accelerate implementation of regional initiatives to support economic growth and regional connectivity.
SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, Angele Makombo N'tumba, echoed the same sentiments, stressing the importance of collaboration in achieving the objectives of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030.
She said investments in transport networks, communications infrastructure and information systems remained central to the region's integration agenda and sustainable development goals.
Welcoming delegates to Zimbabwe, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary, Paul Nyoni, reaffirmed the country's commitment to regional integration and cooperation.
Nyoni said coordinated infrastructure development programmes were essential in promoting trade, economic growth and connectivity within the SADC region.
The meeting has brought together senior government officials from all SADC member states, representatives of international organisations, development partners and cooperating institutions.
Recommendations from the meeting will be submitted to ministers for consideration during the ministerial cluster meeting on Friday.
The transport, ICT, information and meteorology sectors are regarded as key enablers of regional integration, trade facilitation and economic development under the SADC framework
