Durban: Angola reaffirmed its position on transforming the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary Forum into a regional parliament during the 58th Plenary Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum held in Durban, South Africa.
According to Angola Press News Agency, MP Pedro Sebastio articulated Angola's vision for a regional body with full political and functional autonomy. This body would possess the effective capacity to oversee regional policies, initiate legislation on integration matters, and actively participate in defining the Community's strategic priorities. Sebastio emphasized that a robust regional parliament, legitimized by the citizenry, is essential for consolidating democratic pillars and accelerating regional integration processes.
Angola has officially communicated its stance to regional authorities via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscoring its commitment to this transformation.
In the National Report, Sebastio highlighted Angola's progress in implementing the Health, Sexual and Reproductive Rights, HIV/AIDS, and Governance Project. This initiative has empowered deputies, promoted community actions, and launched prevention efforts targeting children, adolescents, and young people at risk.
The MP also noted significant advancements in public health, including the expansion of the health network, bolstering laboratory capabilities, conducting vaccination campaigns such as for HPV, and constructing new reference hospitals. In the education sector, Angola has expanded its school network, improved teacher training, initiated a school feeding program, and pursued curricular harmonization focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
