Page 82 - sadc40en

Natural Gas Committee
The Summit directed that a regional Natural Gas Committee be constituted
to promote the inclusion of gas in the regional energy mix for industrial
development.

Women in Science, Engineering and Technology
The Draft Charter on Women in Science, Engineering and Technology approved by
Council in August 2017 aims to increase the participation of women and youth in the
fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Shortage of skills
in STEM is one of the key barriers identified in the Industrialisation Strategy.

Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants in the SADC Region
A Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants in the SADC Region approved
at the 37th Summit, provides for an effective system of plant variety protection, promotion
of the development of new varieties of plants for the benefit of the region, and protection
of breeders’ rights.

Industrial Development and Trade Directorate
The Industrial Development and Trade Directorate was established in the SADC
Secretariat structure with a mandate to ensure that the SADC region is self-sufficient in
goods and services that can be traded within the region and across the world. The mandate
encompasses product inception with scientific research and development to value chain
72 production, and setting standards and regulations.
Dialogue and Mutual Respect
The Summit deplored and condemned the extra-continental interferences in AU Member
States affairs, in particular the unilateral practice of targeted sanctions against Congolese
personalities by non-African organisations and countries, in conflict with the principles of
sovereignty of States and of non-interference; and called upon these organisations to
withdraw the sanctions and avoid taking such measures in the future by promoting dialogue
and mutual respect.

Solidarity with Western Sahara
The Summit was concerned that colonialism on the continent is yet to be eradicated, and
approved the convening of a SADC Solidarity Conference with Western Sahara, whose
outcomes will be shared with the African Union.

Stability and Development
Efforts of the SADC Facilitator, the Oversight Committee and the deployment of the
SADC Preventive Mission to Lesotho (SAPMIL) were instrumental in stabilizing the
political and security situation in the country; extended efforts to support the DRC
significantly neutralized the negative forces operating mainly in the eastern part of the
country; and the deployment of the SADC Special Envoy in collaboration with envoys
from the UN and AU facilitated the resolution of the political crisis in Madagascar.

Mediation Support Unit
The Mediation Support Unit accelerated its capacity-building interventions aimed at
deepening regional capability to prevent and manage conflict through training programmes
that covered negotiation, conflict tracking and analysis; mediation skills and approaches; and
gender mainstreaming within the context of conflict prevention and response.