Malawi remains optimistic about achieving key milestones in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Integration despite facing several natural shocks.
This sentiment was expressed by Adwell Zembere, Malawi’s non-state actors delegates’ team leader at the 4th Regional Dialogue for Non-State Actors on the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP), currently taking place in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Zembere acknowledged that while there has been significant progress towards meeting these milestones, the realisation of some goals may be delayed due to the country’s recent experience of natural shocks. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence in the nation’s resilience, emphasising that Malawi will continue striving to achieve its regional integration objectives.
“We need to develop a suitable framework that will enhance reporting mechanisms on the progress being made,” Zembere said, highlighting the importance of structured monitoring and reporting as the nation moves forward.
Veteran media consultant and member of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 Media Network, Sydney Katunga Phiri, also commented on Malawi’s progress. He stressed the importance of collaboration between state and non-state actors and the media to ensure that achievements are widely recognised.
“Some call us the fourth estate, and our role is to translate complex information into formats that the public can easily understand. At this point, the African Union Agenda 2063 Media Network should get more involved in the process, as regional strategic plans like the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and other continental policy frameworks need to reach the masses,” Phiri said.
The Malawi delegation at the conference includes officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and non-state actors such as the National Smallholder Farmers’ Association of Malawi (NASFAM), the Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN), the Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), Edukans, and the Council for Non-Governmental Organisations in Malawi (CONGOMA).
Following the breakaway sessions, each country is expected to report on the trackable deliverables they will be pursuing until the next meeting.
By McDonald Chiwayula
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