Staff Reporter
SENIOR officials from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, to finalise key policy documents and regional initiatives ahead of the Joint Meeting of SADC Ministers Responsible for Energy and Water on 17 July.
The 44th Joint Meeting of Senior Officials Responsible for Energy and Water, being held from 14 to 15 July in a hybrid format, is reviewing progress on regional energy and water programmes and preparing recommendations for consideration by ministers.
The meeting is co-chaired by Elizabeth Marabwa, Chief Director in South Africa’s Department of Electricity and Energy, and Duduzile Mtembu, Chief Director in the Department of Water and Sanitation.
Opening the meeting, SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration Angéle Makombo N’Tumba said the region possesses significant energy resources, including hydropower, coal, solar, wind and natural gas, but continues to face major challenges in energy supply and access.
She also described water as a strategic driver of regional integration, economic growth and climate resilience, noting that more than 70% of SADC’s freshwater resources are shared across national borders.
“Investing in water infrastructure and governance supports industrial transformation, food security, energy access and sustainable development,” she said.
In the energy sector, senior officials are reviewing the status of regional energy demand and supply, including progress on regional energy projects and efforts to increase renewable energy generation.
Discussions also include reforms to energy sector regulation, implementation of Mission 300 to expand electricity access, developments in the petroleum and gas sector, and progress towards establishing the SADC Just Energy Transition Framework.
In the water sector, officials are assessing progress on regional and transboundary water projects aimed at improving water supply and sanitation services across member states.
The meeting is also reviewing the SADC Groundwater Programme, implementation of Water Fund projects, climate-resilient infrastructure initiatives, including the Regional Climate Resilience Project and the SADC Hydrological Cycle Observation System, as well as a proposal to extend the implementation of the SADC Regional Strategic Action Plan V to 2030.
The outcomes of the senior officials’ meeting will be submitted to SADC ministers for consideration and decision at their meeting later this week.
Photo: SADC
