Ambassador Tebogo Seokolo addresses SADC senior officials in Durban, calling for practical, implementable decisions to strengthen regional co-operation and respond to Southern Africa's mounting economic, security and climate challenges.
South Africa formally assumed the chairpersonship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Standing Committee of Senior Officials on Thursday, with Ambassador Tebogo Seokolo saying the regional bloc must confront financial pressures, regional security challenges and improve the implementation of its decisions.
Addressing the opening of the Senior Officials Meeting of the 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government in Durban on Thursday, Seokolo said South Africa accepted the responsibility with “humility, a deep sense of duty, and an unwavering commitment to the principles and aspirations that unite us as the Southern African Development Community”.
The Standing Committee of Senior Officials is responsible for preparing recommendations for consideration by the SADC Council of Ministers and plays a key role in translating regional policies into implementation.
Seokolo said South Africa’s assumption of the chairpersonship followed its interim leadership of SADC after developments affecting Madagascar, describing the transition as a reflection of the resilience of the regional institution.
