The Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030 draws impetus from the organisation’s Vision 2050, which envisages “a peaceful, inclusive, competitive, middle- to high-income industrialised region, where all citizens enjoy sustainable economic well-being, justice, and freedom”. The strategic framework informing RISDP 2020–2030 includes a commitment to upholding the core principles of the Community, namely, the sovereign equality of all Member States; solidarity, peace, and security; human rights, democracy, and the rule of law; equity, balance, and mutual benefit; and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Building on this, the organisation’s Mission 2050 connects RISDP 2020–2030 to the aspirations of SADC Vision 2050, by resolving to “leverage areas of excellence and implementing priorities to achieve sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development, through good governance and durable peace and security in the region as well as the removal of all barriers to deeper integration; and guided by the purposes and principles of the SADC Treaty and Agenda.
