SADC is the primary vehicle used by the sub-region to promote balanced and equitable integration among its Member States, and to achieve sustainable development, allowing the region to address the key challenge of unemployment and poverty eradication.

The summit was held under the theme: “Accelerating Industrialisation of SADC Economies through Transformation of Natural Endowment and Improved Human Capital”. Accordingly, the summit focused much attention on the implementation of the Industrialisation Strategy and Road Map and the Revised Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2015-2020.

President Zuma said the adoption of the Revised Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2015-2020 was a major milestone in SADC’s endeavours to promote intra-regional trade. “From here, officials will work on the technical aspects of the RISDP and identify bankable projects and make a cost analysis. We have already identified infrastructure development as one of the potential drivers of shared growth and prosperity,” said President Zuma.

Available: http://www.dirco.gov.za/docs/2015/sadc0819a.htm