• The SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) 57^th Plenary Assembly was held from 31^st May to 7^th June 2025 in Victoria Falls City, Republic of Zimbabwe, under the theme: “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) For Effective and Efficient Parliamentary Processes in the SADC Region: Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities.” This marked the sixth time that the Parliament of Zimbabwe was hosting the Plenary Assembly Sessions, with the last one having been held in 2016.

• The Plenary Assembly was attended by Thirteen (13) of the fifteen (15) SADC PF Member Parliaments, namely, Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia, and the hosting country, Zimbabwe. Mauritius and Tanzania had tendered their apology.

• The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), Senator Fortune Charumbira, attended the Plenary Assembly, reinforcing inter-parliamentary solidarity and cooperation and highlighting the critical role of parliamentary assemblies of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) like SADC PF as foundational pillars for the PAP, in alignment with Article 3(9) of the PAP Protocol (Sirte, 2004), which mandates the PAP to “work in close collaboration with the Parliaments of Regional Economic Communities.”

• The representative of the SADC Executive Secretary, H.E. Elias Mpedi Magosi, attended the Plenary Assembly, underscoring the strategic collaboration between SADC Secretariat and SADC PF in advancing regional integration by engaging Parliamentarians in promoting the implementation capacity of SADC through advocating for the harmonisation, ratification and domestication SADC Protocols as stipulated in Article 6 of the SADC PF Constitution.

• The Plenary Assembly Session was also attended by representatives from sister parliamentary bodies and partner organisations, including: the Parliamentary Forum of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (PF-ICGLR), the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), the Southern Africa Youth Parliament, and the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Member States (ECF-SADC).

• The Assembly was officially opened by His Excellency, Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the current Chairperson of SADC. In his Official Opening Address, His Excellency, The President, conveyed profound appreciation for the SADC PF, an institution that holds a significant place in his heart. The President reiterated his deep engagement with the Forum, particularly in the development of Africa’s first election instrument—the Norms and Standards for Elections in the SADC Region during his tenure as the Zimbabwean Speaker of Parliament from 2000 to 2005. Additionally, the President reminisced on his leadership of the SADC PF Election Observation Mission, wherein he observed the 2004 Malawi General Elections. His Excellency underscored the pivotal role of AI and digital tools in strengthening parliamentary processes, deepening the democratic ecosystem and fostering inclusivity. The Guest of Honour also stressed the imperative of adopting AI and applying it responsibly, underscoring the ethical concerns in its use, data protection, cybersecurity, upholding digital sovereignty and the democratic core values of SADC as fundamental pillars in ensuring a balanced and secure integration of AI in the parliamentary processes.

• In his welcome remarks, the Host Speaker Hon. Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwindamilimo Mudenda, welcomed the signing of the Agreement Amending the SADC Treaty to establish the SADC Parliament by 13 Member States and looked forward to Madagascar and Mauritius signing up the amendment to transform the SADC PF into a regional Parliament during the upcoming August 2025 SADC Summit to be held in Madagascar. Advocate Mudenda was optimistic that the historic transformation of the SADC PF into a SADC Parliament will be realised through the adoption of the enabling Protocol at the 45th Madagascar SADC Summit. This would mark the climax of the transformation agenda which will concretise the birth of the SADC Regional Parliament.

• Justin Tokely, President of the SADC PF, emphasised that the Forum is implementing innovative capacity-building initiatives to enhance the skills of parliamentarians and parliamentary staff, thereby strengthening the role of Parliaments in advancing the democratic agenda. The President further informed the Plenary Assembly that the SADC PF is actively exploring the integration of AI-driven digital tools in order to modernise Parliamentary governance frameworks across the SADC region.

• In her remarks, SADC PF Secretary General, Her Excellency Boemo Sekgoma, paid tribute to the visionary leadership of the host Speaker for his tireless efforts in advancing the transformation of the SADC PF into a SADC Parliament, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Transformation Lobby Group for eleven years. She also applauded Zimbabwe for its pioneering innovations in the health delivery services, particularly by introducing the national AIDS Levy in order to manage the AIDS scourge in the country. The Secretary General also commended the Zimbabwe Parliament for achieving the global distinction of being the only ISO 9001:2015 certified Parliament globally.

• Furthermore, the Regional Women Parliamentary Caucus (RWPC) Chairperson, Hon. Helen Pushy Manyeneng, reaffirmed the Caucus’s commitment to advancing gender equality across the SADC region. She commended Zimbabwe’s best practices in institutionalising gender equality and called for urgent action on gender-responsive budgeting, strengthened regional data systems and enhanced male allyship to ensure meaningful and lasting progress towards gender parity in the region and beyond.

• The Southern Africa Youth Parliament representative, Hon. Angela Nokubatha Dube, emphasised sustained youth engagement in regional governance as she commended the partnership with SADC PF and called for swift action on a SADC Youth Protocol. She further called for inclusive representation, targeted investments in education, health and economic empowerment to realise the full potential of the region’s young generation.

• The Plenary Assembly resolved to prioritise parliamentary oversight, promote regional policy harmonisation, support the development of a normative framework on AI and advance AI ethics to safeguard citizens and align AI implementation with the developmental aspirations of the SADC region as had been espoused by President Mnangagwa in the Official Opening Address.

• The Plenary Assembly acknowledged the proliferation of foreign AI technologies and emerging technology tools but urged member Parliaments to collaborate with tertiary institutions to address the unique needs of SADC Parliaments.

• The Plenary Assembly reaffirmed the criticality of adopting a Whole-of-SADC Enterprise Architecture (WoSEA) to build a harmonised, digitally integrated region that leverages AI and emerging technologies to enhance regional integration, governance, innovation and sustainable development, through improved digital services, shared infrastructure, coordinated governance and joint policy frameworks aligned with the SADC Vision 2050, AU Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• The Plenary Assembly commended Member Parliaments for the remarkable progress in implementing Plenary Assembly resolutions and tracking national-level actions and applauded the informative and comprehensive country reports presented, which reflected strong commitment to peer learning, mutual accountability and advancing the strategic priorities of the SADC PF.

• The Plenary Assembly considered reports of Standing Committees and the RWPC:

• Reaffirmed the central role of strengthening parliamentary capacity to monitor and advocate for SADC Model Laws and resolved to enhance collaboration with development partners to enhance advocacy efforts for the domestication and implementation of the Model Laws;
• Reiterated the cardinal role of women’s economic empowerment for gender equality and sustainable development and resolved to support capacity building for women parliamentarians, eliminate discriminatory laws and promote gender-responsive policies as well as financial and digital inclusion in national development strategies across the SADC region.
• Reiterated the urgent need to strengthen parliamentary oversight of SADC prison systems, supporting inclusive legal reforms, protection of vulnerable groups, coordinated oversight and adequate resources while emphasising active parliamentary involvement in developing the Model Law to ensure ownership, relevance and effective domestication the Model Law on prison oversight.
• Expressed deep concern over persistent human rights violations and worsening conditions in correctional facilities across the SADC region and reaffirmed the urgent need to strengthen parliamentary oversight, reinforce rights-based legal frameworks, enhance institutional accountability and promote humane, gender-responsive detention standards in line with regional and international human rights obligations for detained people.
• Emphasised the role of parliamentary financial oversight in prison administration and urged Member Parliaments to ensure adequate funding for alternative sentencing, rehabilitation and healthcare, enhance budget transparency and strengthen oversight of prison infrastructure investments, including public-private partnerships.
• Reiterated the link between food security, climate resilience and sustainable prison management and urged Member Parliaments to institutionalise regular prison oversight, promote climate-smart agriculture in prisons and integrate prison needs into national policies on food security, health and climate adaptation.
• Expressed concern over poor prison conditions in the SADC region, especially their impact on women, juveniles and children with incarcerated mothers and reaffirmed the need to strengthen parliamentary oversight, promote gender-sensitive reforms and domesticate regional instruments to protect vulnerable groups.
• Underscored the urgent need to declare prison health a public health priority, calling for gender-sensitive, trauma-informed and rights-based healthcare, including HIV/TB treatment, mental health support, sexual and reproductive services for women and nutritional care, as integral to broader public health and human rights imperatives.
• Reaffirmed the criticality of sustained parliamentary engagement in electoral processes, particularly through the deployment of MPs in SADC PF Election Observation Missions (EOMs) to support the domestication of the SADC Model Law on Elections and uphold democratic electoral standards across the region and urged Member Parliaments to prioritise funding for EOMs.

• The Plenary Assembly adopted the Motion on the Slow Implementation of the SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children Already in Marriage, reaffirming its commitment to accelerating national domestication, legislative reform and coordinated action to safeguard the rights and futures of all children across the region.

• The Plenary Assembly unanimously adopted the Motion on Enhancing Food Chain Systems in the SADC Region and reiterated the urgent need for coordinated action to modernise and strengthen agrifood value chains—including sustainable Blue Economy practices for island states and coastal nations reliant on fisheries, aquaculture, and marine resources—in support of food sovereignty, economic growth, and sustainable development across the region.

• The Plenary Assembly adopted the Motion on Strengthening Cybersecurity in the SADC Region, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated legal, institutional and capacity-building measures to address escalating cyber threats and bridge the digital divide across Member States.

• The Plenary Assembly adopted the Motion on Strengthening the Nexus Between Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Climate Change in the SADC Region and highlighted the urgent need to integrate SRHR into climate policies and financing frameworks to enhance resilience, equity and public health outcomes across the region.

• The Plenary Assembly adopted the Motion on Increasing Efforts to Prevent the Spread and Impact of HIV and AIDS in the SADC Region, reaffirming the urgent need for sustained political commitment, regional coordination and domestic financing to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

• The Plenary Assembly warmly welcomed Hon. Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, newly elected Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia and congratulated her on her election as Host Speaker and Namibia’s milestone in advancing gender equality and expressed sincere appreciation to former Speaker, Hon. Prof. Peter Katjavivi, for his distinguished service to SADC PF.

• The Plenary Assembly commended the Republic of Zambia for its strides in promoting gender equality, particularly through the ongoing constitutional review aimed at increasing the representation of women, in line with the SADC gender parity target, as well as enhancing the inclusion of youth and persons with disabilities.

• The Plenary Assembly reaffirmed its strong support for ongoing diplomatic efforts to restore peace and stability in the DRC and commended the coordinated initiatives led by SADC, the East African Community (EAC), the Republic of Angola under the Luanda Process, the African Union (AU), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the United Nations (UN) and other international partners working to promote dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

• The Plenary Assembly expressed heartfelt condolences to the Governments and peoples of Namibia and Zambia on the passing of H.E. Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, Founding President of Namibia (8 February 2025); H.E. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, former President of Zambia (5 June 2025); and Mr. Roy Ngulube, Clerk of the Zambian National Assembly (7 April, 2025). The Plenary Assembly recognised their distinguished service, commitment to democracy, and lasting contributions to parliamentary development in the SADC region.

• The Plenary Assembly extended its sincere appreciation to the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe, Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda, and, through him, to the Government and people of the Republic of Zimbabwe for their warm hospitality, excellent organisation and steadfast commitment to the success of the 57^th Plenary Assembly Session.

• The Plenary Assembly expressed its appreciation to the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa for its commitment to inter-parliamentary cooperation in the SADC region by offering to host the 58^th Plenary Assembly scheduled for the last quarter of 2025.

Done at Victoria Falls City, Zimbabwe, on 6^th June 2025

COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE 57TH SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM PLENARY ASSEMBLY SESSION 31st MAY– 7TH JUNE 2025