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Tracking Progress
SADC publications tracking progress towards regional integration were launched on the
sidelines of the 36th Summit including the SADC Gender Monitor that tracks implementation
of the Protocol on Gender and Development; the SADC Energy Monitor, which is a baseline
study of the energy sector in the region; and a baseline study of Trafficking in Persons in the
SADC Region, revealing the nature, extent and impact of trafficking in persons in the region.

Decline in New Infections of HIV and AIDS
The SADC region has seen a significant decline in new infections since 2009 and a decline in
AIDS-related deaths, as well as an increase in the coverage for Prevention of Mother-to-Child
Transmission, reaching 90 percent in 2015. The Summit urged Member States to continue
to provide human and financial resources to sustain these positive trends in key focus areas of
prevention, treatment, care and support; and noted and appreciated the substantial reduction
in the incidence of tuberculosis and malaria, including malaria-related mortality.

Food Security
The Summit noted the overall deterioration of the regional food security situation following
the 2015/16 agricultural season caused by the extreme El Niño drought phenomenon, which
left the region with a cereal deficit of 9 million tonnes and 39.6 million people in need of food
and other humanitarian assistance. Summit appealed to the regional and international
community for support to the affected population, to close the gap of US$2.5 billion.

70 Amani Africa
Summit commended the Republic of South Africa for hosting AMANI AFRICA II Field
Training Exercise (AAFTX II) in October/November 2015 and Member States that
contributed and participated in this very important continental exercise.

Renewable Energy Strategy
A Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan (REEESAP) was
approved by energy experts from the region in October 2016 for the period 2016-2030 to
provide a framework for Member States to develop renewable energy strategies. This was
approved in July 2017 by the Committee of Ministers responsible for Energy and is expected
to lead to greater use of energy resources such as wind, solar, and gas to hydro and biofuels,
as well as reducing dependence on traditional sources, and attract investment to the sector.

The SADC We Want
A major milestone during the year was the Ministerial Retreat in Eswatini on
12-14 March 2017 with the theme The SADC We Want, which assessed progress
and discussed ways to strengthen and accelerate implementation of the
integration agenda. The conclusions of the Ministerial Retreat were approved
by an Extra-Ordinary Summit held on 18 March, which directed the
Secretariat to develop an implementation plan and roadmap to focus on
priorities of infrastructure development, industrialisation and market
integration, with peace and security as a prerequisite; develop a mechanism for
tracking progress on implementation and compliance; strengthen participation
of private sector; review SADC organs; and submit recommendations for
sustainable financing for regional integration.

Costed Action Plan for Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap
The Extra-Ordinary Summit held at Lozitha Palace (Mandvulo) in March, hosted and
chaired by His Majesty, King Mswati III, also approved the Costed Action Plan for the
SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap 2015-2063 and emphasised high-impact
activities, effective monitoring, and the role of the private sector in implementation.