The Council of Ministers of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will meet on 12 and 13 March 2026 in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa to deliberate on the implementation of regional integration programmes.
Honourable Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa will chair the meeting in his capacity as the Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers.
The meeting will be held under the theme, “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC” which was adopted at the 45th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in Antananarivo, Madagascar. The theme reflects SADC’S commitment to modernising agriculture and investing in clean, sustainable energy, to build a stronger and more self-reliant region.
During the two days, the Ministers will, among other regional issues, review and discuss the status of implementation of Council and Summit Decisions; Disaster Risk Management, the State of Regional Food and Nutrition Security, Operationalisation of the SADC Regional Development Fund, Update on the Review of the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap (SISR) 2015-2063 and the consideration of the SADC Secretariat Annual Operation Plan and Budget for 2026-2027 Financial Year.
The SADC Council of Ministers will be preceded by the following meetings
SADC Senior Officials and Experts on Mid-Term Review of RISDP - Side Event 4-5 March 2026
SADC Standing Committee of Senior Officials on 7-8 March 2026
Finance Committee on 9 March 2026.
The Council of Ministers oversees the function and development of SADC and ensures that policies and decisions are implemented accordingly. The Council consists of Ministers from each of the 16 SADC Member States; usually from the Ministries responsible for Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Economic Planning Finance or Trade, and meets twice a year in March, and August.
Media enquiries - SADC Secretariat
Ms. Barbara Lopi, Head of Communication and Public Relations Unit, SADC Secretariat; email blopi@sadc.int with a copy to prinfo@sadc.int.
About SADC
SADC is an organisation of 16 Member States established in 1980. The mission of SADC is to promote sustainable and equitable economic growth and socio-economic development through efficient, productive systems, deeper cooperation and integration, good governance and durable peace and security; so that the region emerges as a competitive and effective player in international relations and the world economy.
Issued by the SADC Secretariat
Gaborone, Botswana
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Press Release - SADC Council of Ministers to meet in Pretoria, South Africa 12-13 March 2026.pdf | 208.96 KB |
| COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE.pdf | 243.1 KB |
| COMUNICADO DE IMPRENSA.pdf | 228.59 KB |
