On 10th June 2025, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa convened a hybrid planning meeting to review the progress of their joint workplan and to align priorities for 2026 and beyond. This engagement is part of the ongoing implementation of the SADC–UNICEF Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which aims to promote and protect the rights and wellbeing of children across the SADC region.
The meeting brought together technical experts from both institutions to assess achievements to date and to strategise around key thematic areas including education, nutrition, health, HIV/AIDS, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), gender, child protection, social policy, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), climate action and emergency preparedness and response.
A central objective of the meeting was to reinforce the strong partnership between SADC and UNICEF and reaffirm the mutual commitment to deepening collaboration throughout the implementation period of the MoU. Discussions highlighted the importance of multisectoral engagement, results-oriented planning, and improved coordination with other United Nations agencies to ensure greater impact, particularly in the face of evolving development financing landscapes.
A significant outcome of the meeting was the agreement to convene a strategic dialogue involving the SADC Secretariat, International Cooperating Partners (ICPs) and UN agencies. This meeting will focus on coordinated interventions for children on the move, particularly in response to pressing and emerging challenges such as detained children, trafficking, gender-based violence, and poor access to critical services during periods of migration.
Both SADC and UNICEF underscored the urgency of adapting to these complex challenges through strengthened, cohesive, and inclusive approaches. The renewed collaboration reflects a shared vision for a region where every child survives, thrives, and is protected.
