GIZ Country Director Mr. Daniel Bagwitz met with SADC Executive Secretary, Her Excellency Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax at SADC Headquarters on 4th October 2019, to give an update on issues of bilateral cooperation.
During the meeting, the two Parties also discussed the status of preparations for the country to country negotiations scheduled for 5 - 6 November 2019, in Gaborone, Botswana, and confirmed their readiness for the negotiations. Areas of cooperation to be considered during the negotiations include Cooperation for the Enhancement of SADC Regional Economic Integration (CESARE); Peace and Security and Good Governance in the SADC Region; Strengthening Quality Infrastructure for Trade and Consumer Protection in the SADC region; Transboundary Water Management; Adaptation to Climate Change in Rural Areas; Transboundary Use and Protection of Natural Resources; Trans-Frontier Conservation Area Facility (TFCA Facility); and Strengthening National-Regional Linkages in SADC.
GIZ Country Director also reiterated the German Government’s commitment to support SADC industrialisation in line with SADC priorities, for the advancement and transformation of SADC economies.
SADC Executive Secretary, Her Excellency Dr. Stergomena Tax thanked GIZ for continued support to the SADC region in various programmes. She commended GIZ for the cordial relations that continue to exist between SADC and GIZ. Dr. Tax further emphasised the importance of prioritising Gender and Women Economic Empowerment, and as such, they be included in areas of cooperation. She further stressed the need for ensuring that Technical Cooperation and Financial Cooperation are proportionally balanced, and result into visible outcomes and tangible impacts.
The two Parties agreed to firm up areas of collaboration during the SADC – Germany Bilateral Negotiations on Development Cooperation in November 2019.
The Executive Secretary was accompanied by Ambassador Joseph Nourrice, Deputy Executive Secretary–Corporate Affairs.
