UN General Assembly
2013

mandate as Chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Given its relevance to our theme, we would point out that, over the course of a year and in close collaboration with other member States, the Africa Union, the United Nations and other international partners, we engaged in galvanizing the process of regional integration and in seeking peace and stability for the region. We reiterate our congratulations to Zimbabwe on holding successful elections, whose results were validated by the country’s institutions and endorsed by SADC and the African Union. All the conditions have now been met for the sanctions imposed on that country to be lifted in order to allow for Zimbabwe’s development and full participation in the global agenda. The stability of the Democratic People’s Republic of the Congo continues to be a challenge for our region. We would like, once again, to congratulate the Secretary-General for his efforts — in conjunction with SADC, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and the African Union — which resulted in the signing of the Peace, Security and Cooperation