The 31st meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts (ICSOE) for Southern Africa is being convened by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Sub Regional Office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA) and hosted by the Kingdom of Eswatini in Ezulwini 29–31 October 2025 under the Theme: Unlocking AfCFTA’s Potential: Building Value Chains and Overcoming Barriers to Trade in Southern Africa
This session follows the successful 30th ICSOE Meeting hosted by the Government of Zambia in Livingstone from 20-21 November 2024 under the theme: Addressing the energy deficit in Southern Africa through investments in new and renewable energy technologies to reduce energy poverty and accelerate sustainable industrialization and structural transformation.
The 31st ICSOE will be preceded by an Ad Hoc Experts Group Meeting (AEGM), organized back-to-back with the main session. The AEGM will focus on the theme “Unlocking the AfCFTA’s Potential: Advancing intra-regional trade through addressing tariff and non-tariff barriers.”
This year’s discussions will emphasise:
- Addressing tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade.
- Building competitive value chains in mining, agriculture, automotive and other sectors.
- Mobilizing financing and investment to support industrialization.
- Promoting inclusive participation of women, youth, and SMEs.
- Enhancing resilience against global disruptions through regional integration.
Highlights:
- Public Lecture at the University of Eswatini (27 Oct 2025).
- Ad Hoc Experts Group Meeting (29 Oct 2025).
- Senior Officials & Expert Sessions (30–31 Oct 2025).
Expected Outcomes:
- Clear guidance on policy priorities for Southern Africa.
- Recommendations to strengthen AfCFTA-driven value chains.
- Strengthened partnerships across governments, private sector, academia, and civil society.
The ICSOE is a UN statutory annual meeting which brings together experts from Southern Africa and the continent to discuss current and pressing issues affecting socio-economic development in the region. Past ICSOE meetings have attracted high-level participation from a wide pool of stakeholders from member States, private sector, academia, international and regional development partners, civil society and the United Nations system.
Both the ICSOE and AEGMs, provide a forum for exchanging ideas and sharing lessons from a diverse pool of expertise and experiences through roundtables, presentations and open discussions.
Further information and queries on the meeting and other related matters should be addressed to:
For Media inquiries:
Lavender C. Degre
Communication Officer
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
Sub Regional Office for Southern Africa
2392 Longolongo Road
P.O. Box 30647, Lusaka, ZAMBIA
Tel: +260 211 228502/5 Ext. 21307
Fax: +260 211 236949
DL: +260 211 376607
Email: lavender.degre@un.org
Meeting and other related matters
Mr. Mundia Hangubo
Programme Management Assistant
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
Sub regional Office for Southern Africa
P.O. Box 30647,
Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: (+260) 211 228 502-5
Fax: (+260) 211 236 949
E-mail: mundia.hangubo@un.org
and
Ms. Godfridah Sitali
Programme Management Assistant
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
Sub regional Office for Southern Africa
P.O. Box 30647,
Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: (+260) 211 228 502-5
Fax: (+260) 211 236 949
E-mail: godfridah.sitali@un.org
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Mr. Mzwanele Mfunwa
Economic Affairs Officer
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
Sub regional Office for Southern Africa
P O Box 30647,
Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: (+260) 211 228 502-5
Fax: (+260) 211 236 949
E-mail: mfunwa@un.org
and
Ms. Zodwa Mabuza
Chief, Subregional Initiatives Section
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
Sub regional Office for Southern Africa
P O Box 30647,
Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: (+260) 211 228 502-5
Fax: (+260) 211 236 949
E-mail: zodwa.mabuza@un.org
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