HC Deb 10 February 1983 vol 36 cc424-6W
Mr. Guy Barnett

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report the text of the communiqué agreed at the annual donor conference of the Southern African development co-ordination conference held in Maseru, Lesotho, on 27 and 28 January.

Mr. Raison

The communiqué is as follows:

SADCC: MASERU

Maseru, Kingdom of Lesotho

27/28 January 1983

COMMUNIQUÉ

1. Ministers of the nine Member Governments of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference met in Maseru on January 27/28, 1983, with representatives of 29 Governments: Algeria, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, German Democratic Republic, Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, and 23 International Organisations and Development Agencies: African Development Bank (ADB), Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Commonwealth Secretariat, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Commission for the European Communities (EEC), European Investment Bank, Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Ford Foundation, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Trade Centre (ITC), International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Kuwait Fund, Norwegian Agency for International Development (NORAD), Organisation of African Unity (OAU), Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), United Nations, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), World Bank, World Food Programme (WFP).

2. The Conference was opened by His Majesty King Moshoeshoe II in the presence of the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Leabua Jonathon and was chaired by the Hon. P. S. Mmusi, Vice-President and Minister of Finance and Development Planning of the Republic of Botswana. In response to the Opening Address, statements were made by the Kingdom of Denmark, on behalf of the Nordic Countries, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commission of the European Communities. The Closing Ceremony was addressed by the Conference Chairman, the Host Country, Mozambique, on behalf of the SADCC Member Countries, and the World Bank on behalf of the Invited Guests.

3. Projects in the field of Industry were presented by Tanzania. Projects in the fields of Food Security, Animal Disease Control, Soil and Water Conservation and Land Utilisation, Fisheries and Wildlife were presented by Zimbabwe. Projects in the field of Energy were presented by Angola. A report on progress in the field of Transport and Communications was presented by Mozambique. A brief progress report on Manpower Development, Mining and Forestry was presented by the SADCC Executive Secretary.

4. Over the two days of the Conference useful and constructive discussions took place which strengthened the community of interest between SADCC and its partners in development. In the course of the Conference firm indications were given of significant additional financial commitments to SADCC programmes.

5. Statements of support for and cooperation with the objectives of SADCC were made by invited delegations. The following Governments and Development Agencies addressed the Conference:

  • Sweden.
  • Norway.
  • Netherlands.
  • Finland.
  • United Kingdom.
  • Denmark.
  • Canada.
  • African Development Bank.
  • World Bank.
  • Nigeria.
  • Italy.
  • India.
  • United States of America.
  • Commission of the European Communities.
  • Brazil.
  • Food & Agricultural Organisation.
  • Kuwait Fund.
  • Belgium.
  • International Trade Centre.
  • United Nations Development Programme.
  • Algeria.
  • International Labour Organisation.
  • France.
  • World Food Programme.
  • United Nations Conference on Trade & Development.
  • Organisation of African Unity.
  • United Nations.
  • Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa.
  • Austria.
  • Greece.
  • Federal Republic of Germany.
  • United Nations Industrial Development Organisation.
  • Australia.
  • Portugal.
  • Egypt.
  • Economic Commission for Africa.
  • European Investment Bank.
  • International Telecommunications Union.
  • Japan.
  • Ireland.
  • International Development Research Centre.
  • Venezuela.
  • Spain.

6. The Conference noted that substantial development had taken place in Transport and Communications and expressed continued support for the strategy in this sector and for the new SADCC programmes in Industry, Agriculture and Energy.

7. The Conference noted, however, that economic development in the region was being hampered by a number of factors outside the immmediate control of the SADCC Governments. These factors included the global economic recession and harsh climatic conditions. There has also been growing external intervention and in this regard the Conference strongly condemned deliberate interference by South Africa affecting the economic stability of the SADCC region and called for the immediate cessation of such interference.

8. Delegations thanked the Government of Lesotho for the efficient arrangements made for the Conference and for the warm hospitality offered to the delegations. The Conference also recorded its appreciation for the excellent services provided by the Secretariat.

9. The Maseru Conference was postponed from its originally scheduled date of November 1982. The next Annual Conference of SADCC with cooperating Governments, International Organisations and Development Agencies will, therefore, be held in Lusaka, Zambia in November 1983.

Maseru, Lesotho

28 January 1983