Israel Ambassador, (non-resident) to Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe and based in Jerusalem, His Excellency Gershon Kedar presented Letters of Credence to Southern African Development Community (SADC) Executive Secretary, Her Excellency, Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, in Gaborone, Botswana on the 15th May 2019.
Ambassador Kedar thanked the Executive Secretary for the opportunity to meet with her, and informed her that the Republic of Israel is ready to collaborate with the SADC Secretariat and Member States in the areas of Food Security and Agriculture, Climate Change, Health and Education, with a focus on capacity building for both SADC Secretariat and Member States. Ambassador Kedar indicated that Israel is already cooperating with some SADC Member States in various fields, and stated that this will be extended to other SADC Member States.
H.E. Dr. Tax welcomed the Ambassador to the SADC Secretariat and thanked him for the presentation of his credentials and sharing areas that Israel is ready to cooperate with SADC. She informed the Ambassador that the areas are in line with SADC priorities, which are: Industrial Development and Market Integration; Infrastructure in Support of Regional Integration; Peace and Security Cooperation; and Special programmes of regional dimension.
The two Parties agreed to develop a programme highlighting concrete areas of cooperation and actions.
The Executive Secretary was accompanied by Director of Policy Planning and Resources Mobilisation, Mr. Mubita Luwabelwa, Director of Social and Human Development, Ms. Duduzile Simelane, Director of Infrastructure, Ms. Mapolao Mokoena, Head of the Regional Early Warning Centre Mr. Habib Kambanga, representing the Director of Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Affairs, and Senior Programme Officer for Food Security and Agriculture, Mr. Duncan Samikwa representing the Director of Food Agriculture and Natural Resources.
