Bulawayo-Zimbabwe The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat yesterday convened the Cluster Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Transport, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Information and Meteorology in Bulawayo.
The meeting was hosted by the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe and chaired by the Honourable Ms. Barbara Creecy, Minister of Transport of the Republic of South Africa, in her capacity as Chairperson of the SADC Committee of Ministers Responsible for Transport, ICT, Information and Meteorology. The Republic of South Africa currently serves as the Interim Chair of SADC.
The meeting brought together Ministers from SADC Member States to deliberate on strategic priorities aimed at strengthening regional infrastructure, enhancing connectivity and promoting sustainable socio-economic development across the SADC region. It also provided a platform for coordinated policy dialogue, regional cooperation and the advancement of harmonised programmes in the transport, communications, ICT, information and meteorology sectors.
In her opening remarks, the Chairperson underscored the importance of strengthening regional collaboration to modernise infrastructure, improve connectivity, and leverage emerging technologies to support regional integration and economic transformation. She emphasised that investment in resilient infrastructure and digital innovation remains critical to improving trade, facilitating the movement of people and goods, and enhancing the region’s competitiveness.
During the meeting, Ministers considered a range of strategic issues aimed at accelerating regional integration through improved infrastructure and policy coordination. Key areas of focus included enhancing regional transport corridors and infrastructure development, promoting digital transformation and ICT integration, strengthening climate resilience through improved meteorological services and advancing innovation, including the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve infrastructure planning, service delivery and operational efficiency.
The Ministers also reviewed progress in implementing regional programmes and initiatives designed to improve transport systems, expand digital connectivity, strengthen information services and enhance weather and climate information systems to support disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.
The Cluster Meeting reaffirmed SADC’s commitment to deepening regional integration through coordinated infrastructure development, policy harmonisation and strengthened cooperation among Member States. The outcomes of the meeting are expected to contribute to more efficient regional transport and communication systems, enhanced trade facilitation, improved digital connectivity, strengthened climate resilience, and inclusive economic growth across the SADC region.
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