By MAYA NTANDA –
THE 35th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government summit held on August 17 – 18 at the Gaborone International Conference Centre (GICC) is significant to Zambia as regional leaders met for a common cause, which is to bring about economic integration and reduce poverty in member states.

•President Edgar Lungu delivers his maiden speech at the 35th Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government in Gaborone, Botswana on Monday.  Picture By SALIM HENRY/STATE HOUSE

The SADC Heads of State and Government adopt various decisions that concern the regional body and this year’s meeting was held under the theme ‘Accelerating industrialisation of SADC economies through transformation of natural endowment and improved human capital’.
With a membership of 15 countries who were all represented, SADC has shifted its objective of political liberation to include economic integration.
Like other member States, the SADC agenda of economic integration and poverty reduction remains Zambia’s commitment to fulfilling its efforts in improving the living standards of its people.
As part of its mandate, the SADC Heads of State and Government Summit continues to hold its meetings annually in a member State at which a new chairperson is elected together with the deputy.
The 35th SADC summit ushered in a new leader in Botswana President Lieutenant General Ian Khama taking over the baton from Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
Botswana will be deputised by Swaziland.
In his acceptance remarks, General Khama called upon all member States to implement agreed priorities in strategic plans in order to improve the well-being of its people.
“The SADC family will always be characterised by common values, a common destiny for a common people that emerged from a common history, forever seeking a common future,” he said.
He said the summit comes at a time when there are many global developments that the region needs to take note of such as the Millenium Development Goals which are coming to an end and would be succeeded by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Zambian President Edgar Lungu, who presented his maiden speech at the official opening of the summit, urged the southern African region to operate on a firm path of accelerating economic growth, so as to meet the aspirations of the people.
Mr Lungu said it was important to create a conducive business environment that promotes sustainable development and conditions in which the private sector and other economic players could thrive.
The President, whose speech touched the delegates including the local media, said it was imperative to acknowledge the realities of the world and renew a common resolve to sustain the core principles and objectives of SADC.
Mr Lungu said SADC member States face challenges such as high unemployment, particularly among the youth, adverse impact of climate change, energy shortage and skewed industrial development.
Other challenges were low intra-regional trade, inadequate infrastructure, low productivity in agriculture and livestock as well as in the education and health sectors.
“These are, however, not insurmountable. I am confident that through our concerted and collective efforts, determination and hard work of our people coupled with able and visionary leadership, we shall overcome,” said Mr Lungu.
The President said despite the positive regional and global economic outlook, SADC countries face new social, economic, political and security challenges that could have an adverse impact on the region.
Mr Lungu said Zambia, therefore, remains fully committed to the implementation and realiasation of all SADC protocols and programmes.
He expressed delight that SADC was on the right track building upon past achievements to mould a better future for the people.
Mr Lungu was accompanied by Defence Minister Richwell Siamunene, Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba, Attorney General Likando Kalaluka and his special assistant for Press and public relations Amos Chanda.
King Mswati of Swaziland, who was also in attendance, urged members to unite and guarantee an acceptable standard of living for the people.
The summit further noted progress made with regard to representation of women in political and decision-making positions.
SADC started as a group of Frontline States in 1975 with only seven countries namely Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe being member States.
Malawi and Swaziland later joined the group.
The establishment of the Frontline States was to advance political liberation of all countries in the southern part of Africa.
And on April 1, 1980, the name Frontline States changed to the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) during a meeting which took place in Zambia.
The formation of SADCC was an adoption of the Lusaka Declaration dubbed Southern Africa: Towards Economic Liberation.
In 1982, the SADC secretariat headquarters was set up in Gaborone, Botswana.
SADCC was later transformed into the SADC, on 17 August, 1992 at a summit held in Windhoek, Namibia.
It was at this stage that Namibia, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Seychelles joined the regional body with Madagascar being the 15th member State to join in 2005.
Zambia was elected SADC chairperson in 2007 when it hosted the 27th Ordinary Session of SADC Heads of State and Government Summit under the late third Republican President Levy Mwanawasa.
The holding of the 35th SADC Heads of State and Government summit was preceded by briefings from the SADC secretariat and the Council of ministers meeting whose chairmanship was handed over to Botswana Minister of Finance and Development Planning Kenneth Matambo by Zimbabwean  Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe in the company of Permanent Secretary Siazongo Sikalenge represented Zambia during the council of ministers deliberations.
During a media briefing SADC Food Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) director, Margaret Nyirenda said the 2014/2015 rainfall season was generally poor in most parts of the region which led to an unsatisfactory overall regional food security situation.
She said this year’s availability of maize which usually makes up more than 75 per cent of total cereal production was forecasted at 31.73 million tonnes compared to 36.79 million tonnes last year.
The total requirement for the region this year is estimated at 32.93 million tonnes reflecting an overall maize deficit of 1.20 million tonnes.
Ms Nyirenda said in terms of maize, Zambia, Tanzania and South Africa, Tanzania had recorded surpluses with 0.88 million tonnes, 0.81 million tonnes and 0.31 million tonnes respectively.
“The SADC region is cognisant of the increased number of vulnerable people who require both food and other humanitarian assistance. During the 2015/2016 marketing year, the number of vulnerable people swelled from 24.28 million to 27.41 million, representing a 13 per cent increase,” she said.
Ms Nyirenda said agriculture, food security and prudent management resources continue to be at the epic centre of the SADC region.
She said food production in most parts of the region was hampered by phenomena such as unfavourable climate conditions, increase in population, poor health and sanitation, rapid urbanisation, high poverty levels and resource degradation, among others.
Ms Nyirenda  said the region had been making strides to improve the lives of its people and continues to do so by ensuring food security is attained at both household and national levels.
The secretariat also launched SADC at 35 success stories which highlighted some of the achievements and benefits of regional integration.
After all is said and done, the member States of the regional body await to implement agreed priorities to improve the well being of their citizens.