DAR ES SALAAM, 23 August -- The United Republic of Tanzania hosts the 23rd Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) from 25-26 August in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam amid brightening economic and political prospects in most of the southern Africa region.

The summit, to be chaired by host President Benjamin Mkapa, will discuss the socio-economic and political situation in the region since the last summit that was hosted by Angola in October 2002. Mkapa takes over from Angolan President Edwardo dos Santos who chaired SADC for the past one year.

In 2002, southern Africa emerged as the only region in Africa to achieve improved economic growth when compared with the previous year, recording 3.2 percent, which compares positively to 2.7 percent achieved in 2001. The fastest growing economies were Angola, which registered 14 percent, Mozambique (8 percent) and the United Republic of Tanzania (6 percent).

The improved growth in gross domestic product (GDP) is mainly attributed to increasing political stability in the region, particularly in Angola where peace returned after almost three decades of civil war. In neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, prospects are also better, especially since the installation of a transitional government on 30 June 2003.

However, at current growth rates, most SADC member states will not be able to adequately address the overarching challenge of poverty eradication. According to the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), to which SADC subscribes, a minimum economic growth rate of seven percent is required to halve poverty by 2015.

Available statistics put poverty levels in SADC at 40 percent of the estimated population of 200 million. Women, who are the most vulnerable members of society in most parts of the region, form the bulk of those affected by poverty.

Poverty in the region is exacerbated by natural disasters such as drought and floods, political instability and diseases such as HIV and AIDS, malaria and other communicable diseases. With the political situation and food security in the region fast improving, HIV and AIDS remain the single most critical threat to development.

The Summit will consider a report on HIV and AIDS from the extra ordinary Summit that was held in Maseru, Lesotho last month. Other issues on the agenda include progress reports on the restructuring of SADC institutions and gender equality, and the outcome of the second African Union Summit that was held in Maputo, Mozambique last month.

The leaders are also expected to endorse important decisions including a defence pact that was approved by a ministerial committee at a meeting earlier this month in Maputo. If signed, the pact will facilitate implementation of the Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, laying the framework for military cooperation, among other issues.

A Charter on Fundamental Social Rights is also expected to be tabled for signature. The charter seeks to promote a tripartite structure of policy formulation that involves government, employer and employee organizations. In line with its community building initiative, SADC has signed 24 protocols. Of these, 11 have come into force.

The Summit is preceded by the Council of Ministers Meeting on 23 and 24 August. The ministers prepare the final agenda for the leaders, who are expected to arrive in Dar es Salaam on 24 August. (SARDC)

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