On the morning of Friday 5th April 2024, the National Assembly of Seychelles jointly hosted the signing of the SRHR , HIV/AIDS Governance Project Agreement with the SADC Parliamentary Forum (PF) which was represented by the Secretary General Ms. Boemo Sekgoma and the Director of Finance and Administration Mrs. Yapoka Mungandi. This is the third agreement to be signed by the National Assembly of Seychelles and 12 other parliaments in the SADC region who have also pledged their commitment to implement this project.
Following the welcoming remarks made by the Clerk of the National Assembly Mrs. Tania Isaac in which she detailed the importance of the thematic areas and phases of which the project has travelled, and the broader scope of accomplishment that this phase of the project is destined to reach, the Honourable Speaker Roger Mancienne officially opened the ceremony. In his positions as both Speaker of the National Assembly and President of the SADC PF, it was noted that this project has both national and regional importance, reaching the corners of society that require the attention and empathy of those able to make a difference. The Speaker extended his sincere thanks to the Secretary General and the SADC PF Secretariat for their commitment and efforts in developing a roadmap and matured governance structure in which this project will be undertaken.
The Secretary General began her intervention by expanding on the importance of the diversification of Committee work and stakeholder engagement in this phase of the project, to ensure that all thematic areas are extensively covered and the integration of values such as anti-corruption and transparency are included. The SG mentioned the the late Honourable Rosie Bistoquet’s active contributions and profound involvement in the work of SADC PF. The Implementation Agreement was then signed by the Speaker Hon. Mancienne, Secretary General, Ms. Sekgoma, and Clerk, Mrs. Isaac.
This was followed with poignant interventions and solidarity statements made by various stakeholders who have an established relationship with the structures of the project. Following this ceremony, the Speaker had the honour of unveiling and officially launching the SADC PF Strategic Plan 2024 – 2028 which details the roadmap the SADC PF will take in the coordination and implementation of various vital thematic areas.
The ceremony was then brought to a close by the Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly Ms. Alexandria Faure who expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the SG, all Members and Parliamentary Staff, the national and technical working groups, and all stakeholders for their “steadfast dedication, tireless efforts, and unwavering commitment to this vital cause”.
