SADC member states ratified critical legal frameworks designed to accelerate socio-economic integration and tighten compliance across Southern Africa.
The 46th Ordinary SADC Summit, which concluded in Durban on Monday, saw intensive, late-night deliberations by regional Heads of State and Government.
The frameworks ratified include the SADC Tourism UniVisa Agreement, the SADC Declaration on Accelerating Action to End AIDS, and the SADC Declaration on the Protection of People with Albinism from 2019.
An amendment was also made to modify the sanctioning regime under Article 33(4) of the treaty.
The new provision allows the Summit to approve the suspension of a member state that is in arrears for four years or more.
Another signed agreement covers the operationalisation of the SADC Regional Development Fund.
The development fund agreement was signed by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
"The discussion of establishing the regional development fund has been on the agenda of SADC for a long time, and we are happy that finally there are more countries that have signed up, and possibly very soon it will be operationalised. Because you cannot talk about industrialisation if you don't have funds to do that. The fund is basically aimed at enabling us to mobilise funds for the implementation of SADC integration programmes. And that's why in Namibia we have signed up to it."
Lastly, the Protocol against Trafficking in Persons was signed. The protocol provides a framework for cooperation among SADC member states to combat trafficking in persons and cross-border crime.
During the closing session, new SADC Chairperson Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the migration challenges faced by the region.
"We also expressed regret at what has befallen us as a country. And we expressed a wish that we should all work together to address the challenge of migration. There was recognition that the challenge of migration is complex; it's not easy. There was also appreciation for the need for cohesion in our region and the need for unity as we address this challenge."
During South Africa's SADC chairmanship, President Ramaphosa promised to anchor the regional agenda on infrastructure development.
The strategy specifically targeted road and rail upgrades to ease trade bottlenecks within Southern Africa.
Ramaphosa is further calling for accelerated implementation and accountability among member states.