Lusaka Declaration

Lusaka Declaration. The Lusaka Declaration was a significant document adopted by the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) in Lusaka, Zambia in 1979, with the aim of promoting economic development and cooperation among Southern African countries, including Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This declaration was supported by various international organizations, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the African Development Bank. The declaration also received backing from prominent leaders, including Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, and Samora Machel of Mozambique.

Introduction

The Lusaka Declaration was a response to the economic challenges faced by Southern African countries, particularly those resulting from the apartheid regime in South Africa and the Rhodesian Bush War in Zimbabwe. The declaration aimed to promote economic cooperation and development among the signatory countries, with the support of international organizations, such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The declaration also recognized the importance of regional cooperation in promoting economic development, as seen in the example of the European Economic Community (EEC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Key figures, such as Oliver Tambo of the African National Congress (ANC) and Joshua Nkomo of the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU), played a crucial role in shaping the declaration.

Background

The Lusaka Declaration was preceded by several regional and international meetings, including the 1978 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Lusaka, which brought together leaders from Commonwealth of Nations countries, such as Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The declaration was also influenced by the 1977 Lagos Plan of Action, adopted by the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which aimed to promote economic development and cooperation among African countries. The Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) was established in 1980, with the support of the Lusaka Declaration, to promote economic cooperation and development among its member states, including Namibia, which gained independence from South Africa in 1990. The SADCC was later transformed into the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in 1992, with the aim of promoting deeper economic integration and cooperation among its member states, including Mauritius and Seychelles.

Provisions

The Lusaka Declaration outlined several provisions aimed at promoting economic cooperation and development among the signatory countries, including the establishment of a regional transport network, the promotion of trade and investment, and the development of energy and water resources. The declaration also emphasized the importance of human resource development, including education and training, and the promotion of science and technology. The declaration recognized the need for international cooperation and support, including from organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Key international events, such as the 1979 United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development and the 1980 World Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development, also influenced the provisions of the declaration.

Significance

The Lusaka Declaration was significant because it marked a major step towards regional cooperation and economic development in Southern Africa. The declaration recognized the importance of regional cooperation in promoting economic development and reducing dependence on apartheid South Africa. The declaration also emphasized the need for international cooperation and support, including from organizations such as the European Union (EU) and the African Development Bank. The declaration's emphasis on human resource development and science and technology also reflected the importance of these areas in promoting economic development, as seen in the example of Singapore and South Korea. The declaration's provisions were also influenced by the 1978 Alma-Ata Declaration on primary health care and the 1981 Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women.

Implementation

The implementation of the Lusaka Declaration was facilitated by the establishment of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) in 1980, which was later transformed into the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in 1992. The SADC has implemented several programs and projects aimed at promoting economic cooperation and development among its member states, including the SADC Free Trade Area and the SADC Customs Union. The implementation of the declaration has also been supported by international organizations, such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank, which have provided financial and technical assistance to SADC member states, including Angola and Mozambique. The declaration's implementation has also been influenced by key international events, such as the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg. Category:International agreements