BY NOKUPHILA NXUMALO (INTERN)
MBABANE – Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development Thabsile Mlangeni is leading an Eswatini delegation to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Senior Officials Meeting currently underway in Pretoria from March 7 to 11 2026.
The meeting has brought together senior government representatives from across the region to deliberate on key development priorities and prepare recommendations ahead of the SADC Council of Ministers meeting scheduled for March 12 to 13 2026.
Mlangeni, who serves as Eswatini’s SADC National Contact Point, is heading a multi-sectoral delegation comprising senior officials from several government institutions. These include the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ministry of Commerce Industry and Trade, and the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force.
The Senior Officials Meeting plays an important role in shaping discussions that will later be considered by the Council of Ministers. Delegates are reviewing a range of regional programmes and initiatives designed to strengthen cooperation and promote sustainable development across Southern Africa.
Among the key issues under discussion is the financial status of the SADC Secretariat, including contributions from Member States and support from International Cooperating Partners. Officials are examining ways to ensure that regional programmes continue to receive the necessary resources to achieve their objectives.
Participants are also reviewing progress made in implementing previous Summit and Council decisions on important regional priorities. These include food and nutrition security, disaster risk management and coordinated responses to climate change, which remain central to strengthening resilience in the region.
Another important item on the agenda is the operationalisation of the Regional Development Fund. The fund is expected to play a significant role in supporting long-term regional development initiatives and improving economic cooperation among SADC Member States.
Eswatini’s active participation in the meeting reflects the country’s strong commitment to regional integration and collaborative development. By contributing to discussions and policy recommendations, the Kingdom continues to support initiatives that promote economic growth, stability and shared prosperity across the region.
Officials emphasised that regional cooperation through SADC remains a vital platform for addressing common challenges and advancing sustainable development goals that benefit all member states.
#SADC #RegionalIntegration #EswatiniDevelopment #SouthernAfrica
