13 Aug 2026

Botswana  reaffirms its commitment to regional integration as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers Meeting gets underway in Durban, South Africa.

Leading the Botswana delegation is Minister of International Relations, Dr Phenyo Butale,  joined by Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Nelson Ramaotwana.

The meeting, which commenced on Wednesday, is being chaired by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, in his capacity as Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers.

According to a press release from the Ministry of International Relations, the Council will receive progress updates on the implementation of socio-economic and political decisions adopted during the 2025 Summit.

Ministers are also expected to identify high-impact priority areas with tangible programmes and projects to advance the regional integration agenda.

The release further said key focus areas include the acceleration of economic corridors, the operationalisation of the Regional Development Fund, and disaster risk management. The Council will further deliberate on the political and security situation in the region, as well as strategies for industrialisation and food security.

The Council of Ministers Meeting precedes the 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, scheduled for August 17, 2026, in Durban. The Summit will be held under the theme: Resilient,

Sustainable and Inclusive Industrialisation through Infrastructure Development, Agricultural and Critical Minerals Transformation in Pursuit of a Just World.”

Additionally, the release says Botswana’s participation provides an opportunity for the country to continue contributing to efforts aimed at strengthening SADC’s goals of sustainable development, economic cooperation, durable peace and security.

The Council forms part of the preparatory processes for the Heads of State and Government Summit, where regional priorities and implementation of previous decisions will be considered. ENDS