Zimbabwean Parliamentarians Attend 12th Annual Conference of African National and Regional Parliaments

By Ilyana Sithole

A delegation led by the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Adv. Jacob F. N. Mudenda, is currently in Midrand, South Africa, attending the 12th Annual Conference of Speakers of African National and Regional Parliaments. The conference, taking place under the auspices of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), is scheduled from 18th to 20th September 2024.

This conference seeks to discuss how the PAP and National Parliaments can collaborate in driving the aspirations of the African Union. Key topics on the agenda include the ratification and domestication of AU treaties and agreements, progress made in attaining Agenda 2063 targets, and the role of national Parliaments in contributing to the continental development blueprint.

Deputy president of the Senate, Hon. Lt General (Rtd) Michael Reuben Nyambuya, stressed the significance of the conference in tackling the issues facing Africa and fostering unity and collaboration among member states in his keynote address. He emphasised that in order to guarantee the comprehensive growth of the continent, a paradigm change in Africa’s educational systems is required.

The conference was officially opened by Hon. Col. (Rtd) K. C. D. Mohadi, Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, who underscored the importance of the recent SADC Summit in ratifying the transformation of the SADC Parliamentary Forum into a regional Parliament. He stressed Zimbabwe’s commitment to implementing the resolutions made at the summit and related fora.

The 12th Annual Conference is being graced by Hon. Speakers from over 25 AU Member States, Speakers of Regional Parliaments, Heads of African Union Organs and Agencies, and members of the Diplomatic Corps.