iClinic - August 8, 2000
Marjolein Harvey
In his address to the opening session of the summit, outgoing SADC chair Chissano said that the summit was aimed at charting the future for SADC, which is now in its 20th year of existence.
With respect to HIV/AIDS, the summit expressed its concern that the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Southern African region continues to be a major developmental and security issue, with more than 10 percent of the adult population infected in some countries.
The summit noted the establishment of a Multi-Sectoral SADC HIV/AIDS Technical Subcommittee, and the development of a SADC HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework and Programme of Action 2000-2004.
The official opening of the summit witnessed the announcement of the winners of the 2000 Regional Secondary Schools Essay Competition, whose theme was HIV/AIDS. The first prize was awarded to Sibanesizwe Malunga of Zimbabwe; the second prize toYohane Kadalinga of Malawi, and the third to Ashveen Kutowaroo of Mauritius.
The summit noted that at its meeting held in Windhoek, Namibia on August 4-5, council approved principles to guide negotiations with pharmaceutical companies on the provision of drugs for the treatment of HIV/AIDS-related conditions.
The principles include, inter alia, recognition of the critical role that poverty and malnutrition play in the epidemic, the provision of equipment, maintaining the continuum of care, and supplies of appropriate drugs to ensure sustainability, equitability, affordability and accessibility.
The summit also received a report from Kenneth Kaunda, former President of Zambia, on the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS, particularly on young families, who leave orphans to be cared for by relatives.
He informed the summit of the establishment of the Kenneth Kaunda Children of Africa Foundation for HIV/AIDS. The summit lauded Kaunda for his efforts.
The summit expressed its concern that external debt remains a major problem for SADC countries.
While the summit appreciated the cancellation of the bilateral debt by some developed economies, it noted that an examination of the debt profile of the countries shows that much of their debt is due to multi-lateral institutions, and accordingly the cancellation of bilateral debt has not been very effective in reducing the burden.
The summit recalled that the region experienced heavy rains in January/February 2000, causing severe flooding in Southern Mozambique, Swaziland, northern and eastern South Africa as well as eastern and southern Botswana and Zimbabwe.
In these countries, infrastructure was destroyed, and scores of people lost their lives, homes, crops as well as livestock.
The summit expressed its appreciation to SADC member states and the international community for their assistance to the affected countries.
On food security, the summit noted that while the overall situation is satisfactory, the latest assessment suggests that regional cereal availability for 2000/2001 marketing year is insufficient to cover consumption and strategic grain reserve requirements. The overall cereal deficit is estimated at 679 000 tons.
The summit accepted the offer of the government of the Republic of Malawi to host the next SADC summit in 2001.
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