The Secretariat of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on 31 January 2024 held a virtual workshop that brought together officials responsible for Information, Communication and Public Relations in the SADC Member States in a bid to enhance communication, awareness and visibility of SADC programmes, activities and impact in the region and globally.
Ambassador António Nascimento, Director of Institutional Communications and Press of in the Ministry of External Relations of the Republic of Angola (MIREX) called on the Member States to collaborate and share information to raise awareness on the achievements that SADC has made since its inception in 1980. On this note, Ambassador António Nascimento highlighted that the diplomatic missions of the SADC Member States present a unique opportunity to expand avenues of raising awareness about SADC.
Ambassador Nascimento stressed the importance of finding new forms of communication that will reach a diverse and global audience, in line with the communication objectives outlined in the SADC Regional Development Indicative Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030, the blueprint that guides the SADC regional integration and development agenda.
The Head of Communication and Public Relations at the SADC Secretariat underscored the important role of the embassies, high commissions, and diplomatic missions in broadening SADC awareness globally.
Ms. Lopi added that, using diplomatic missions to broaden the reach of SADC messages will assist in achieving the objectives of the RISDP 2020-2030, which calls for enhanced communication, visibility and awareness of SADC, its activities, and impact in all Member States and globally.
She highlighted that, a regional body of 16 Member States, SADC has a market of about 389 million people and a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of about US$841 billion, which present enormous potential for trade and investment opportunities, and economic growth that can result in improved livelihood.
On her part, Ambassador R. Chikava, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Zimbabwe said the workshop has come at an opportune time as the Republic of Zimbabwe prepares to assume the Chairship of SADC at the 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government scheduled to be held in August 2024.
Ambassador Chikavu said that the workshop has positively contributed to the existing skills base and will help to ensure the visibility and awareness of the SADC brand for the enhancement of the region's Common Future.
During the meeting, participants shared the initiatives being undertaken by Member States to promote the work of SADC in advancing regional integration, cooperation and development through their foreign missions. The participants resolved to enhance collaboration and information sharing between SADC Secretariat and the Ministries responsible for Foreign Affairs, working together with SADC National Media Coordinators, to create worldwide visibility of SADC and its Member States through embassies, high commissions and diplomatic missions.
