Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA: The President of the Republic, President Danny Faure delivered his Maiden address at the official opening ceremony of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit of Heads of States and Governments for the first time in his capacity as the President of the Republic of Seychelles.

President Faure is leading the Seychelles delegation at the 37th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of States and Governments currently being held in Pretoria, South Africa under the theme “Partnering with the private sector in developing industry and regional value-chains.”

During his address, President Faure reaffirmed Seychelles’ commitment for its continued support of the collective efforts of SADC. “As a proud member of our SADC family, we are wholeheartedly committed to the principles and values enshrined in our Treaty, and as the new President, I am personally devoted to upholding these ideals throughout my tenure” said President Faure.

The President highlighted numerous actions and efforts being implemented in Seychelles, since taking office in October 2016 geared towards creating an atmosphere for greater social cohesion, inclusiveness and national unity through a process of genuine reconciliation. Such efforts and actions are in the spirit of cultivating a stable and functioning state that fits Seychelles’ political diversity in its new era of cohabitation, with the aim of bringing lasting peace and stability in the country. It is in this spirit that the President called on SADC to lend all its support to Lesotho and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the ongoing efforts to bring back peace, stability and security to these two fellow countries.

President Faure also stressed on the importance of members states to focus on the SADC they envision for the future. “We speak about the SADC we want. Yes, the SADC we want is one which is at peace with herself; a SADC which has economic opportunities for each and every one; where no citizen is left behind; where the value of freedom is translated in real living standards for all our citizens”

“Allow me to reiterate my unwavering commitment and support of all SADC programmes and protocols. I recognize the great strides and impressive progress we have made as a region in the areas of peace and security, trade, and development”

The President commended the SADC Secretariat for its critical role in the highlighted achievements and encouraged member states to continue on this collective path towards prosperity.

The official opening ceremony also saw the handing over by the out-going SADC Chairperson His Majesty King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland to the new SADC Chairperson, President of South Africa and host of the 37th SADC Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of States and Governments H.E Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma.

The 37th Ordinary SADC summit of Heads of States and Government, which began on Saturday 19th August, has seen government representatives from member states discussing matters under the theme, as well as other key priority areas for the region on the two-day agenda. President Faure will intervene on a number of points that feature on the Summit's agenda that are of interest to Seychelles.

Please click below ink for the FULL Video of President Faure's Maiden Speech via State House video gallery:

http://www.statehouse.gov.sc/video.php?video_id=61