The 56th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) was hosted by the Parliament of the Republic of Zambia from 6th to 15th December 2024 at the Radisson Blu Hotel and Resort in Livingstone, Zambia, under the theme: “Leveraging Technology and Innovation for Smart, Inclusive and Responsive Parliaments in the SADC Region. ”
In attendance at the 56th Plenary Assembly were thirteen of the fifteen SADC PF Member Parliaments, namely: Angola; Botswana; Democratic Republic of Congo; Eswatini; Lesotho; Madagascar; Malawi; Namibia; Seychelles; South Africa; Tanzania; Zambia; and Zimbabwe. Apologies were duly recorded from the Parliaments of Mauritius and Mozambique. 5 of the Parliaments in attendance were led by female Presiding Officers (38%), 6 were led by male Presiding Officers (46%), and 2 were led by male Members of Parliament (15%).
The 56th Plenary Assembly was officially opened on Monday 9th December 2024 by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, who was represented by the Republican Vice president, Her Honour Mrs W K Mutale Nalumango, MP.
In his opening remarks, His Excellency the President congratulated the SADC Parliamentary Forum for successfully obtaining the twelve signatures from SADC Member States, which was the minimum requirement to amend Article 9(1) of the SADC Treaty to establish the SADC Parliament as one of the SADC Institutions.
The President added that transforming the Forum into a regional legislative assembly was important for the SADC region and for the African continent. He further expressed confidence that the remaining SADC Member States would soon sign the Agreement.
His Excellency the President assured the Forum that Zambia remained committed to the establishment of the regional Parliament and pledged Zambia’s support, at both national and regional levels, towards all processes and procedures leading to the successful completion of the process. He further pledged Zambia’s support for the effective operation of the SADC Parliament once established.
The President further stated that the theme for the 56th Plenary Assembly resonated deeply with Zambia’s aspiration and resolve to achieve sustainable development through the adoption of technology and smart innovations. In this regard, he indicated that Zambia was committed to developing Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) infrastructure in the country, based on the realisation that ICT is a catalyst for socio-economic transformation of nations globally.
A Symposium on the theme was held on 10th December 2024. It was noted that the adoption of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, could result in enhanced efficiency in parliamentary operations as it had the potential to eliminate inherent inefficiencies. However, there was need for full appreciation and mitigation of the possible dangers inherent in such technology if it was to be used safely.
The Plenary Assembly deliberated on and adopted resolutions pertaining to multiple matters of interest pursuant to its consideration of various reports. Country Reports on progress made on the implementation of the Resolutions of the 55th Plenary Assembly were considered. Other reports considered were those submitted by the Forum’s Organs, including the Executive Committee, Standing Committees, the Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (RWPC) and the Regional Parliamentary Model Law Oversight Committee. Two motions were also considered by
the 56th Plenary Assembly. Through these deliberations, the resolutions adopted by the Plenary Assembly touched on various policy, administrative and financial matters of the Forum.
The Assembly expressed satisfaction that the amendment of the SADC Treaty to establish the SADC Regional Parliament came into force on 11th July 2024 following the twelfth signature of the Agreement Amending the Treaty by the Parliament of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In this regard, the 56th Plenary Assembly reiterated the Forum’s appeal to Member States which were yet to sign the Agreement to consider doing so. The Forum also reiterated its resolve to continue with its lobbying efforts in order to garner sustained support for the remaining procedures towards the completion of the transformation process.
The 56th Plenary Assembly received an update from the Speaker of the Parliament of Zambia on the proceedings of the 149th IPU Assembly and other related meetings held from 13th to 17th October 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland, pursuant to Rule 45 of the Rules of Procedure.
Pursuant to Rule 45 of the Forum’s Rules of Procedure, the 56th Plenary Assembly received an update from the Hon Deputy Speaker and Leader of the Delegation of Botswana on the 2024 Botswana General Elections held on 30th October 2024.
In the quest to promote and strengthen collaboration between the SADC PF and its various partners, and pursuant to Rule 44 (5) of the Rules of Procedure, the 56th Plenary Assembly received solidarity messages from
representatives of the following partners:
i. The Chandler Institute of Justice on: “Commitment to Partnership
with SADC PF to Develop the SADC PF Model Law on Mining and to Enhance Parliamentary Action on Sustainable Governance of Critical Minerals in the SADC Region. ”
ii. The Secretary-General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and Former President of the Maldives, His Excellency Mohamed Nasheed, on: “Strengthening Partnership with the SADC Parliamentary Forum to Advance Parliamentary Climate Action for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement in the SADC Region.”
iii. The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, on: “Commitment to Partnership with SADC PF to Advance Parliamentary Leadership and Legislative Effectiveness for Energy Security, Renewable Energy Transitions, and
Climate Resilience in the SADC Region.”
iv. The Africa Climate Foundation on: “Commitment to Partnership with SADC PF to Advance Parliamentary Action on Climate Resilience and Food Security in the SADC Region.”
On the sidelines of the 56th Plenary Assembly, the Forum, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), launched the SADC PF Parliamentary Alliance on Agrifood Systems, Food Security and Nutrition. The Alliance seeks to empower parliamentarians across the region to champion legislative actions, policy reforms, and advocacy efforts to achieve a hunger-free Southern Africa and strengthen the Forum’s commitment to fostering democratic accountability and regional integration through parliamentary leadership.
Further, on the sidelines of the 56th Plenary Assembly, the Forum also held a Valedictory Ceremony in honour of the Hon. Prof. Peter H. Katjavivi, Speaker of the Parliament of Namibia and Host Speaker for the SADC PF Headquarters, who is due to retire from office in March 2025.
Through the Valedictory Ceremony, the Forum placed on recordbits profound appreciation of the distinguished service rendered by Prof Katjavivi to the SADC Parliamentary Forum through his long-standing membership of the Forum’s Executive Committee, and his immense contributions to interparliamentary cooperation and diplomacy,
regional integration, and the promotion of democracy in Southern Africa.
Pursuant to Article 11(2) of the Forum’s Constitution and Rule 10 of the Rules of Procedure, the 56th Plenary Assembly held elections to elect the new membership of the Executive Committee to lead the Forum and new office bearers for the period 2024 to 2026, as follows:
i. Rt Hon. Speaker TOKELY Justin (Madagascar) - President
ii. Hon. Sylvia Elizabeth Lucas (South Africa) – Vice President
In line with Article 12(5) of the Constitution of the Forum, the Executive Committee will designate a Treasurer from amongst themselves in due course.
Pursuant to its earlier resolution, the 56th Plenary Assembly presented awards to Members of the Outgoing Executive Committee who served between November 2022 to December 2024 in the following
categories:
i. Category 1: Valiant Defender of Democracy Award – to be presented to the President, Vice President, and Treasurer;
ii. Category 2: Grand Defender of Democracy Award – to be awarded to Honourable Speakers; and
iii. Category 3: Defender of Democracy Award – to be awarded to Members of Parliament.
The Plenary Assembly expressed its appreciation to the Parliament of the Republic of Zimbabwe for its offer to host the 57th Plenary Assembly Session, of which specific dates and programme are to be communicated in due course.