President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has told fellow SADC leaders that the objectives of the development plans would not be realised when citizens are confronted by hunger, high youth unemployment and other socio-economic challenges.
She specifically pointed out the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2030-2050 and the SADC Vision 2050.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah delivered her maiden address at the 45th SADC summit in Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo, on Sunday.
"We must, therefore, in line with the theme of this Summit, work together with urgency and compassion to ensure that food security in our region is not just a goal on paper but a reality in every home across the region. We must also empower the youth with skills, enabling them to compete with their peers worldwide, particularly in the areas of creative industry, ICT and digital innovation."
The Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2030-2050 and the SADC Vision 2050 both provide a guiding framework for the implementation of regional integration and developmental agendas through various programmes.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah implored that there is a compelling need to enhance value addition to the SADC region's critical raw minerals, including through regional value chains, before they are exported.
"By doing so, we will strengthen our economies, create jobs, and retain more benefits from our natural resources. This would help to create employment opportunities to empower and build a brighter future for our people."
The President reaffirmed Namibia's full commitment under her leadership and reminded the Summit that the regional community was set up with the objective of the economic liberation of Southern Africa through common action.
"Therefore, the theme of this Summit, namely, 'Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC', is very critical, and we need to pay special attention to it, as industrialisation remains central to economic diversification and job creation, and agricultural transformation is key to achieving food security and rural development."
The SADC summit is also set to review and consider a number of progress reports of various programmes by the Secretariat.