The Southern African Development Community has formalised a new strategic partnership with Japan, according to a statement released on April 9 by the SADC Secretariat. The Memorandum of Cooperation, signed in Gaborone by SADC Executive Secretary Elias M. Magosi and Japanese Ambassador Shindo Yusuke, establishes a framework for collaboration on trade, digital expansion, agriculture, and natural resource management across member states, including Malawi.
Regional diplomacy also progressed at the Second Africa Urban Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, which concluded on April 10. According to the SADC Secretariat, Deputy Executive Secretary Angéle Makombo N'Tumba led a delegation focusing on sustainable city planning and climate preparedness. During the forum, SADC ministers responsible for human settlements convened to discuss plans for integrating disaster risk reduction into regional infrastructure projects and local economic development corridors.