The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and its International Cooperating Partners (ICPs) have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing regional integration, sustainable development, peace and security following the annual SADC-ICP Dialogue Platform held virtually on 5 November 2026.
The Dialogue brought together senior officials from six SADC Member States, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, alongside development partners and the SADC Secretariat, to review progress on regional priorities and strengthen collaboration.
The meeting was co-chaired by Ambassador Tebogo Seokolo, Deputy Director-General for Africa at South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and Chairperson of the SADC Standing Committee of Senior Officials, and Ambassador Belén Calvo Uyarra, Head of the European Union Delegation to Botswana and SADC and Chair of the ICP Group.
Discussions focused on the implementation of commitments from the 2025 SADC-ICP Dialogue, the outcomes of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030 Mid-Term Review, regional peace and security developments, and opportunities to deepen cooperation between SADC and its development partners.
Addressing the meeting, Ambassador Seokolo acknowledged the increasingly complex global environment characterised by geopolitical tensions, climate-related shocks and shrinking development financing, but stressed the importance of strong partnerships.
"Through collective action, mutual trust and strengthened partnerships, we can transform these challenges into opportunities and accelerate progress towards a prosperous, peaceful, inclusive and resilient SADC region," he said.
Speaking on behalf of the ICPs, Ambassador Calvo Uyarra reaffirmed development partners' support for SADC's integration and development agenda.
"The partnership between SADC and its International Cooperating Partners is built on a shared commitment to sustainable development, regional stability and prosperity," she said, adding that enhanced coordination through Multi-Year Action Plans would help maximise development impact across the region.
Participants also welcomed the Revised SADC RISDP Implementation Plan, which will guide regional integration efforts through 2030, focusing on priority areas such as peace and security, infrastructure development, industrialisation, trade, health, education, climate resilience and human capital development.
SADC Executive Secretary, H.E. Mr Elias M. Magosi, said the Revised RISDP Implementation Plan will guide the implementation of priority regional programmes and projects to advance regional integration and sustainable development, adding that strong partnerships with ICPs will be critical to delivering results for the people of the SADC region.
The Dialogue concluded with a renewed commitment by SADC and its ICPs to strengthen cooperation, mobilise resources and support the implementation of regional priorities aimed at building a peaceful, prosperous and resilient Southern African region.
