The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation has reaffirmed that peace and security remain the bedrock of regional integration and economic development. 

The 28th Session of the SADC Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation concluded in Salima, Malawi, with member states adopting a broad range of measures to strengthen peace and security, democratic governance, migration management, the fight against corruption and organised crime, as well as the preservation of the region's liberation heritage.

Speaking after the meeting, Zimbabwe's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, said the deliberations centred on safeguarding one of SADC's fundamental pillars of peace and security.

"Our main view is that without peace and security, SADC integration will not be possible because, for trade to happen, it has to happen on a peace and security template that is stable and predictable and where member states are working together very well."

On the sidelines of the meeting, Professor Murwira held bilateral engagements with South Africa's and Madagascar's ministers of Foreign Affairs.

"We also had an opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with the Republic of South Africa, with my counterpart, Honourable Ronald Lamola, and with my counterpart from the Republic of Madagascar. These meetings are aimed at strengthening our cooperation at both the bilateral and multilateral levels. Our counterparts also congratulated us on Zimbabwe's overwhelming election to the United Nations Security Council.

The resolutions adopted by the Ministerial Committee are expected to reinforce SADC's collective efforts towards maintaining peace, enhancing regional integration and promoting sustainable development across Southern Africa and will be tabled at the leaders' summit in Durban, South Africa.