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The statement emphasizes the need for African solidarity to combat a severe debt crisis and a 'colonial and extractivism modus operandi' in the international financial system. It calls for an overhaul of the Global Economic and Financial Architecture and urges Parliamentary Committees to utilize the SADC PF model Public Finance Management law to enhance oversight and accountability. The text highlights efforts by the Africa Group in the UN to establish a Framework Convention on Tax Rules and a Global Legal Framework for debt, asserting that Africa must set the rules for global economic governance to ensure sovereignty and regional prosperity.

The SADC Green Bonds Programme, running from April 2021 to March 2024, seeks to accelerate the use of green bonds for climate finance in SADC member countries. Key achievements include the launch of the SADC Green and Sustainable Bond guidelines in April 2022, the revision of the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange rules in Tanzania, and the issuance of a MUR 500 million green bond by Cim Financial Services Limited in Mauritius.

The SADC-HYCOS IV Project seeks to strengthen the capacity of 16 Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states to manage climate-related water risks. The project focuses on restoring hydrological monitoring stations damaged by Cyclones Idai and Kenneth, upgrading data transmission from expensive satellite systems to cost-effective GSM-modem technology, and establishing a centralised regional hydrological database. By improving the availability of contextually-appropriate hydrological information and early-warning systems, the project intends to provide adaptation benefits to approximately 140 million vulnerable people, particularly those reliant on agriculture and fisheries.

The document argues that while the expansion of South African supermarket chains into the SADC region offers opportunities for local suppliers to enter regional value chains, this potential is currently hindered by high market concentration and the abuse of buyer power. It recommends the implementation of a regional code of conduct, the harmonisation of standards, and targeted supplier development programmes to reduce reliance on deep-sea imports and foster industrialisation in southern Africa.

Sumaria Group (T) Ltd, a diversified manufacturing family business based in Tanzania, faces significant systemic barriers to growth in the SADC region. Key obstacles include a lack of pharmaceutical standards harmonization, unreliable and expensive energy and transport infrastructure, and an unpredictable regulatory environment in Tanzania. To mitigate power shortages, the company has invested in stand-by generators, which increases production costs. The group advocates for regional cooperation on electricity generation, the finalization of the Zambia interconnector, and streamlined trade facilitation to reduce the cost of doing business.

The report examines the hydrological constraints and governance regimes of transboundary river basins in the SADC region, arguing that while water is not a primary driver of conflict, robust institutional frameworks and policy harmonisation are essential for economic growth. It highlights the role of the SADC Water Protocol and the evolution of basin-specific regimes, proposing 'Parallel National Action' as a mechanism to align national policies without eroding state sovereignty.

The document details the development of a climate change and sustainable development master's curriculum by a consortium of 23 academics from six universities in southern Africa. It identifies key pedagogical and operational challenges, recommending early alignment on curriculum principles, pilot testing of templates, and increased face-to-face collaboration to overcome the frustrations of virtual communication. The process resulted in a Curriculum Framework, a curriculum consisting of seven modules, and supporting courseware, which were praised by external experts for their logic and explicit learning outcomes.