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Protocols
The Protocols on Shared Watercourse Systems; Energy;
Transport, Communications and Meteorology; and Combating
Illicit Drug Trafficking, have been ratified and entered into force,
as well as the RETOSA Charter. The Protocol on Trade has
been ratified by seven Member States with three more expected
to do so before year end. Two new Protocols were signed, on Wildlife Conservation and Law
Enforcement; and Health; as well as the Declaration on Productivity.
Private Sector
The 19th Summit welcomed the establishment of the Southern African Enterprise
Network (SAEN) and the Association of SADC National Chambers of Commerce and
Industry (ASNCCI) for the purpose of strengthening regional trade and investment, and
acknowledged the critical role of the private sector in regional development.

Debt
The 19th Summit expressed serious concern that the external debt burden remains a major
impediment to economic transformation, and that the high level of resources disbursed to
pay external debt undermines the provision of basic services. While Summit welcomed
the current initiative for Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC), there was serious concern
that country eligibility criteria are restrictive and should be revised. The SADC
Chairperson was mandated to present a SADC position on reform of the HIPC initiative
42 to make it more accessible to debt-stressed SADC countries that have pockets of poverty
exacerbated by HIV and AIDS, and economic instability.
South­South Cooperation
Strengthening relations with other economic communities, especially but not only in Africa,
such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) gives impetus to a
continental economic community.

SADC Extra­Ordinary Summit on DRC
A SADC Extra-Ordinary Summit on DRC hosted by Mozambique in January 2000,
attended by the Presidents of Uganda and Rwanda, noted the lack of progress in
implementation of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement of 10 July 1999 and the importance
of the involvement of the United Nations Security Council, OAU and SADC. The former
President of Botswana, Sir Quett Ketumile Joni Masire has been appointed by the
Congolese parties as the facilitator of National Dialogue in DRC.
One Year Term for SADC Chairpersons
The tenure of office of the SADC Chairperson will be one year with effect from
1999 to enable greater participation by all Member States in the leadership of the
organisation at highest level, and the concept of Incoming Chairperson was
introduced. The Summit host, President Joaquim Alberto Chissano of
Mozambique (top picture), was elected as SADC Chairperson. The Deputy
(Incoming Chairperson) is President Samuel Shafiishuna Nujoma of Namibia
(bottom) who is hosting the next SADC Summit in Namibia in 2000.

Secondary Schools Essay Competition
The SADC Secondary Schools Essay Competition was introduced in which schoolchildren
in Member States are invited to submit essays about the importance of regional integration.
The topics were later linked to the Summit theme starting in 2014. The competition has
become a fixture on the education calendar of secondary schools in the region, with the
top three winners invited to Summit to receive prize money and recognition.