SADC is driven by its Common Agenda as spelled out in Article 5 of the Treaty (as amended, 2009), as well as in the Review of Operations of SADC Institutions and consists of the policies and strategies of the organisation. SADC Policies
(i) Promote sustainable and equitable economic growth and socio-economic development that will ensure poverty alleviation with the ultimate objective of its eradication, enhance the standard and quality of life of the people of Southern Africa and support the socially disadvantaged through regional integration;
(ii) Promote common political values, systems and other shared values which are transmitted through institutions that are democratic, legitimate, and effective;
(iii) Consolidate, defend and maintain democracy, peace, security and stability;
(iv) Promote self-sustaining development on the basis of collective self-reliance, and the interdependence of Member States;
(v) Achieve complementarity between national and regional strategies and programmes;
(vi) Promote and maximise productive employment and utilisation of the resources of the Region;
(vii) Achieve sustainable utilisation of natural resources and effective protection of the environment;
(viii) Strengthen and consolidate the long-standing historical, social and cultural affinities and links among the people of the Region;
(ix) Combat HIV and AIDS and other deadly or communicable diseases;
(x) Ensure that poverty eradication is addressed in all SADC activities and programmes; and
(xi) Mainstream gender in the process of community building.
