Cabinet has given parliament the go ahead to sign the SADC Protocol on Environmental Management for Sustainable Development.

“The objective of the protocol is to promote sustainable use and transboundary management of the environment, which is of interest to SADC member states,” Cabinet said in a statement on Friday.

As chair of the regional bloc, South Africa is committed to strengthening regional efforts to conserve transboundary natural resources and promote sustainable development within the SADC region.

“This is aligned to the NDP, which prioritises the deepening of integration of the SADC region as well as ensuring environmental sustainability and an equitable transition to a low-carbon economy.”

SADC recognises the importance of sustainable use and management of the environment in the fight against poverty and food security.

South Africa assumed the role of chair of the regional body in August after taking over from the Kingdom of Swaziland. The SADC chairmanship rotates among the bloc’s member states on a one-year-term basis.

Other regional matters

On other regional matters, Cabinet congratulated Angola on conducting successful national legislative elections.

President Jacob Zuma attended the inauguration ceremony of President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço in Luanda on Tuesday.

Government has committed to working with the new government to build on the already solid bilateral relations.

Angola is one of South Africa’s largest trading partners on the African continent and continues to grow its bilateral relations.

To date, the two countries have 33 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding that have been signed within the JCC framework to enhance cooperation in a number of areas.