Motion on African Union’s Agenda 2063 presented to SADC Parliamentary Forum Plenary Assembly by Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation
The 36th Plenary Assembly of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary Forum, meeting recently in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, adopted a motion on the significance of infrastructure for intra-African trade and implementation of Agenda 2063 in the SADC.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Moses Siphosezwe Amos Masango, presented the motion and it was seconded by Dr Goodluck J Ole-Medeye, Member of the Parliament of Tanzania.
The motion calls on SADC member Parliaments to contribute to knowledge about and ownership of the objectives and purpose of Agenda 2063 and to assist in developing sustainable national and regional planning frameworks with targets that are measurable and monitored. It stresses the need for regional cooperation in creating enabling infrastructure to strengthen regional economic integration and expand intra-regional trade and investment.
It encourages member Parliaments to identify - and work with their government to eliminate - infrastructure projects that could create bottlenecks in intra-African trade and investment. Cross-border infrastructure, that can unlock development and establish Africa firmly as the new growth frontier, is highlighted.
The African Union’s Agenda 2063 is an approach about how the continent should effectively learn from the past, build on current progress and strategically exploit immediate and medium-term opportunities to ensure positive socioeconomic transformation within the next 50 years. The pillars of Agenda 2063 are:
- A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development
- An Integrated continent, politically united, based on the ideals of Pan Africanism
- An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for Human Rights, Justice and the rule of law
- A peaceful and secure Africa
- An Africa with strong cultural values and ethics
- An Africa where development is people-driven, relying particularly on the potential of women and youth
- Africa as a strong and influential global player and partner
Agenda 2063 was the subject of debate – the Africa we want at a joint sitting of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces on 31 October. Parliament will play a role in implementation of Agenda 2063 through its oversight role.
