Programme Director,

Honourable Minister Daniel Garwe, Minister of LG and Public Works of the Republic of Zimbabwe,

Honourable Ministers responsible for Disaster Risk Management in the SADC Region,

Deputy Ministers and Heads of Delegation,

The SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, Ms Angele Makombo N’tumba

Representatives of the SADC Secretariat,

Representatives of International Cooperating Partners,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

I commend all of you, the Secretariat and the Excellencies Ministers and Ambassadors for how you demonstrated accountable and mature leadership. We carry the heavy responsibility of making Disaster Risk Management in the SADC region work and save the lives of our communities.

As we conclude the first day of the SADC Committee of Ministers Responsible for Disaster Risk Management, I sincerely appreciate the spirit of solidarity, cooperation, and shared commitment demonstrated throughout today’s deliberations.

These engagements have built on the priorities we set at the opening of this meeting and have begun to shape a common regional approach to disaster risk management.

Our discussions have reaffirmed that disasters continue to threaten lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, food security, and economic stability across our region.

From cyclones, floods and droughts to disease outbreaks and other climate-induced hazards, the SADC region remains vulnerable to increasingly complex and interconnected risks.

However, today’s engagements have also demonstrated that, through collective action and regional cooperation, we can strengthen resilience and protect our communities from future shocks.

We have reflected and made decisions that speak to the importance of strengthening disaster preparedness, enhancing early warning systems, investing in resilient infrastructure, and improving coordinated response and recovery mechanisms.

We have equally acknowledged the need to mobilise sustainable financing for disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation interventions across the region. Importantly, today’s deliberations highlighted the value of partnerships between governments, regional institutions, communities, the private sector, academia and development partners. Building resilience requires a whole-of-society approach that leaves no one behind.

As SADC Member States, we must continue to strengthen our regional mechanisms for cooperation, information sharing, capacity building and coordinated action. The increasing frequency and intensity of disasters require us to move beyond reactive approaches and place greater emphasis on prevention, preparedness and anticipatory action.

Indeed, SHOC is our baby. We must nourish SHOC. We must not establish structures or institutions and let them fail. We need to walk the talk

Let us remain committed to supporting regional efforts to advance Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Resilience, and Sustainable Development, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the African Union Programme of Action, and the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan.

Once again, I commend the Government and People of the Republic of Zimbabwe for the excellent hospitality and arrangements for this important meeting in the beautiful City of Masvingo.

As we adjourn for the day and prepare for tomorrow’s High-Level Roundtable, I encourage all delegates to continue engaging constructively during tomorrow’s proceedings as we work together towards practical, actionable outcomes that will strengthen resilience across our region.

Let us explore Zimbabwe during the tour.

I wish you all a restful evening and continued fruitful engagements tomorrow.

The meeting is officially closed.

I thank you