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Spatial Development Initiatives (SDI) are at the core of
regional infrastructure development due to the importance of
transportation routes in regional development and the business
opportunities presented by the development corridors, such as the
Maputo, Tazara, Limpopo, Mtwara and Walvis Bay development
corridors, and the more recent North-South Development Corridor.

SADC Energy Recovery Plan
With some of Africa’s fastest expanding economies, the SADC region ran out of surplus
generation capacity by 2007, as predicted by the Southern African Power Pool, and in
February 2008 the SADC combined electricity demand stood at 47,067MW with
available capacity of 43,518MW. After an emergency meeting of the Energy
Ministerial Task Force on Implementation of Power Sector Programme in February,
and the Energy Ministerial Meeting in DRC in April 2008, SADC Member
States agreed on the SADC Energy Recovery Plan with activities to be reviewed on an
annual basis; and to integrate energy conservation; create regional energy
linkages; adopt a Biomass Energy Conservation Plan; and execute a Power Surplus
Utilisation Programme.

SADC International Conference on Poverty and Development
Recognising that poverty and related inequalities are one of the greatest challenges
confronting the SADC region, an International Conference on Poverty and
Development was hosted by Mauritius on 18-20 April 2008, providing a platform for 55
a wide spectrum of stakeholders to dialogue, including Heads of State. The conference
noted that strategies to eradicate poverty are already in place at national and regional
levels, but what is lacking is holistic implementation and a collective regional approach.
The objectives of the conference were to strengthen collective efforts to address
poverty and inequalities through regional cooperation and integration, and facilitate
dialogue on the partnerships necessary for achievement of the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs).
The main outcome of the conference was the signing by Heads of State and
Government of a Declaration on Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development
that identified six priority areas: achieving food security; addressing climate change;
increasing capacity in power generation and transmission as well as renewable and
alternative sources of energy; achieving higher economic growth through education,
training, welfare and social development including nutrition and health; and
accelerating the development, rehabilitation and maintenance of infrastructure for
regional integration.

Southern Africa Environment Outlook
The SADC RISDP calls for regular environmental monitoring, reporting and assessment
of regional trends, including climate change. This report identifies the trends, highlights
key emerging issues and presents future scenarios, building on the recent Africa Environment
Outlook 2 launched by UNEP that says poverty can be eradicated if the wealth in natural
resources is harnessed effectively, fairly and sustainably. The Southern Africa Environment
Outlook was published and launched by SADC, coordinated by the Southern African
Research and Documentation Centre (SARDC) through its Musokotwane Environment
Resource Centre for Southern Africa, with support of the UN Environment Programme
(UNEP) and IUCN-The World Conservation Union.