This morning, 2nd July 2024, Speaker of Parliament and his delegation, including Honourable MPs Chief Chinhenzva Chigwajara, Maybe Mbowa, Tendai Nyabani, and Lynette Karenyi Kore, attended the official opening ceremony of the 55th SADC-PF Plenary Assembly in Luanda, Angola. The Assembly is centered around the theme, “The Role of Parliament in Promoting Renewable Energy Policies in the SADC Region and the Creation of a Single Regional Energy Market.” This comes on the heels of the successful launch of the SADC-PF Institutional Plan, which was praised by attending Speakers of Parliament as a landmark achievement.
Hon. Roger Mancienne, Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles and President of SADC-PF, officially opened the Assembly. The event featured the singing of the Anthems of the Republic of Angola, the African Union, and the SADC Parliamentary Forum.
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Book NowIn her remarks, Ms. Boemo Sekgoma, Secretary General of SADC PF, thanked the host Parliament of Angola for its exceptional hospitality and logistical support. She acknowledged Angola for hosting the Plenary Assembly for the fifth time and creating an environment conducive to economic prosperity.
The opening session included messages of solidarity from various dignitaries. H.E. Onyango Kakoba, Secretary General of the Forum of Parliaments of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, expressed gratitude for the invitation and highlighted the role of the Conference. Hon. Dr. Tulia Ackson, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania, recognized the support from the SADC Region in her IPU Presidential bid and outlined upcoming events, including the Summit of the Future and the World Speakers of Parliaments Conference in August 2025.
Hon. Shally Josefa Raymond, President of the Regional Women’s Parliamentary Group (RWPC), commended SADC PF for establishing the Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus and urged Parliaments to integrate gender issues into their work plans.
Hon. Carolina Cerqueira, Host Speaker of the 55th Plenary Assembly and Speaker of the National Assembly of Angola, called for the creation of resilient Parliaments capable of addressing regional challenges, including public debt, conflicts, financial management, and renewable energy utilization.
In his opening address, Hon. Roger Mancienne emphasized the importance of collaboration in tackling regional issues. He updated the Assembly on the Transformation Agenda, urging all Parliaments to sign the Agreement to amend the SADC Treaty to enable the transition of SADC-PF into a Regional Parliament. He noted Zambia’s recent commitment to the Agreement, bringing the total to 11 signatures, just one short of the required 12.
The opening session concluded with a vote of thanks from Rt. Hon. Nelly Butete Kashumba Mutti, Speaker of the Parliament of Zambia and host of the 56th Plenary Assembly in November 2024.
In the afternoon, a symposium on the Assembly’s theme featured presentations from Angolan experts on addressing the energy deficit in SADC through solar, wind, and hydro power generation, while acknowledging the continued role of thermal power.
Hon. Advocate J.F.N. Mudenda spoke at the symposium, emphasizing the role of Parliaments in promoting renewable energy policies and creating a regional energy market. He highlighted the potential of renewable resources, such as the Inga Dam project in the DRC, and advocated for comprehensive energy policy frameworks, increased budget allocations for renewable energy, and regional cooperation. He stressed the importance of ratifying SADC Protocols on renewable energy to ensure a transition to a clean, secure, and affordable energy future for all SADC citizens.
Today, the Plenary Assembly will review reports on the resolutions of the 54th Plenary Assembly meetings of SADC PF.
