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(Date Posted:22/04/2008 11:42:17)
Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) reiterated the commitment to combat and eradicate poverty in all its manifestations and dimensions as a matter of utmost urgency. The SADC Declaration on Poverty and Sustainable Development adopted at the end of the conference held in Mauritius on April 20, 2008 underlines the need for achieving food security in a situation of growing global shortages and addressing the adverse impact of climate change in the fight against poverty. On this score, SADC resolves to set up a Task Force of Ministers of Trade, Agriculture and Finance to encourage regional collaboration, facilitate cross border and internal food flows based on improved infrastructure and distribution networks. It further resolves to work towards the establishment of a Regional Observatory to monitor progress made in the implementation of actions in poverty eradication. In the Declaration, SADC also pledges to continue negotiations for resources under Aid for Trade. It encourages partnerships with civil society organizations and community leaders in poverty reduction programmes. In his opening remarks at the Conference the Prime Minister, Dr Navin Ramgoolam, reiterated his conviction that SADC can and should harness the new dynamics that are at play in the region to make a decisive stride on poverty reduction. "Nationally and collectively we need to weave in all our policies and reforms, actions that will make a positive impact on poverty reduction. The task is certainly immense but so is our responsibility to the millions who live in absolute poverty in our countries", Dr Ramgoolam said. Among other main speakers at the opening ceremony were: Dr Tomaz Salomao, SADC Executive Secretary; Dr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, President of the Republic of Zambia and Chairperson of SADC; Mr Jens Stoltenberg, Prime Minister of Norway; Mr Louis Michel , UE Commissioner and Dr Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank.
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