a. decision - making;
b. facilitating the implementation of decisions; and
c. providing policy directions.
7. The Troika of each institution shall have power to create committees on an ad hoc basis.
8. The Troika of each institution shall determine its own rules of procedure.
9. The Troika of each institution may co-opt other members as and when required.
Article 10. The Summit
1. The Summit shall consist of the Heads of State or Government of all Member States, and shall be the supreme policy-making Institution of SADC.
2. The Summit shall be responsible for the overall policy direction and control of the functions of SADC.
3. Subject to Article 22 of this Treaty, the Summit shall adopt legal instruments for the implementation of the provisions of this Treaty; provided that the Summit may delegate this authority to the Council or any other institution of SADC as the Summit may deem appropriate.
4. The Summit shall elect a Chairperson and a Deputy Chairperson of SADC from among its members for one year on the basis of rotation.
5. The Summit shall meet at least twice a year.
6. The Summit may create committees, other institutions and organs as it may consider necessary.
7. The Summit shall appoint the Executive Secretary and the Deputy Executive Secretary, on the recommendation of the Council.
8. Subject to Article 8 of this Treaty, the Summit shall decide on the admission
Of new members to SADC.
9. Unless otherwise provided in this Treaty, the decisions of the Summit shall be taken by consensus and shall be binding.
Article 10A. Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation
1. The Summit shall select a Chairperson and a Deputy Chairperson of the Organ on the basis of rotation from among the members of the Summit
Except that the Chairperson of the Summit shall not simultaneously be the
Chairperson of the Organ.
2. The term of office of the Chairperson, Incoming Chairperson and the
Outgoing Chairperson of the Organ shall be one year respectively.
3. The Chairperson of the Organ shall consult with the Troika of the Summit and report to the Summit.
4. There shall be a Ministerial Committee of the Organ, consisting of the Ministers responsible for:
a. foreign affairs;
b. defence;
c. public security; or
d. state security,
From each of the Member States, which shall be responsible for the coordination of the work of the Organ and its structures.
5. The structure, functions, powers and procedures of the Organ and other related matters shall be prescribed in a Protocol.
6. The Secretariat shall provide Secretariat services to the Organ.
7. Decisions of the Organ shall be taken by consensus.
Article 11. The Council
1. The Council shall consist of one Minister from each Member State, preferably a Minister responsible for Foreign or External Affairs.
2. It shall be the responsibility of the Council to:
a. oversee the functioning and development of SADC;
b. oversee the implementation of the policies of SADC and the proper execution of its programmes;
c. advise the Summit on matters of overall policy and efficient and
Harmonious functioning and development of SADC;
d. approve policies, strategies and work programmes of SADC;
e. direct, coordinate and supervise the operations of the institutions of SADC subordinate to it;
f. recommend, for approval to the Summit, the establishment of directorates, committees, other institutions and organs;
g. create its own committees as necessary;
h. recommend to the Summit persons for appointment to the posts of Executive Secretary and Deputy Executive Secretary;
i. determine the Terms and Conditions of Service of the staff of the institutions of SADC;
j. develop and implement the SADC Common Agenda and strategic priorities;
k. convene conferences and other meetings as appropriate, for purposes of promoting the objectives and programmes of SADC; and
l. perform such other duties as may be assigned to it by the Summit
Or this Treaty.
3. The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Council shall be appointed by the Member States holding the Chairpersonship and Deputy Chairpersonship of SADC respectively.
4. The Council shall meet at least four times a year.
5. The Council shall report and be responsible to the Summit.
6. Decisions of the Council shall be taken by consensus.
7. The Council shall consider and recommend to the Summit any application for membership to SADC.
Article 12. Integrated Committee of Ministers
1. The Integrated Committee of Ministers shall consist of at least two ministers from each Member State.
2. It shall be the responsibility of the Integrated Committee of Ministers to:
a. oversee the activities of the core areas of integration which include:
i. trade, industry, finance and investment;
ii. infrastructure and services;
iii. food, agriculture and natural resources; and
Iv. social and human development and special programmes;
b. monitor and control the implementation of the Regional Indicative
Strategic Development Plan in its area of competence;
c. provide policy guidance to the Secretariat;
d. make decisions on matters pertaining to the directorates;
e. monitor and evaluate the work of the directorates; and
f. create such permanent or ad hoc subcommittees as may be necessary to cater for cross-cutting sectors.
3. The Integrated Committee of Ministers shall, with respect to its responsibilities under paragraph 2 of this Article, have decision making powers to ensure rapid implementation of programmes that would otherwise wait for a formal meeting of the Council.
4. The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Integrated Committee of Ministers shall be appointed from the Member States holding the Chairpersonship and Deputy Chairpersonship, respectively, of the Council.
5. The Integrated Committee of Ministers shall meet at least once a year.
6. The Integrated Committee of Ministers shall report and be responsible to the Council.
7. Decisions of the Integrated Committee of Ministers shall be taken by consensus.
Article 13. The Standing Committee of Officials
1. The Standing Committee shall consist of one permanent secretary or an official of equivalent rank from each Member State, from the Ministry that is the SADC National Contact Point
2. The Standing Committee shall be a technical advisory committee to the
Council.
3. The Standing Committee shall process documentation from the Integrated Committee of Ministers to the Council.
4. The Standing Committee shall report and be responsible to the Council.
5. The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Standing Committee shall be appointed from the Member States holding the Chairpersonship and the Deputy Chairpersonship, respectively, of the Council.
6. The Standing Committee shall meet at least four times a year.
7. Decisions of the Standing Committee shall be taken by consensus.
Article 14. The Secretariat
1. The Secretariat shall be the principal executive institution of SADC, and shall
Be responsible for:
a. strategic planning and management of the programmes of SADC;
b. implementation of decisions of the Summit, Troika of the Summit, Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation, Troika of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation, Council, Troika of the Council, Integrated Committee of Ministers and Troika of the Integrated Committee of Ministers;
c. organisation and management of SADC meetings;
d. financial and general administration;
e. representation and promotion of SADC;
f. coordination and harmonisation of the policies and strategies of Member States;
g. gender mainstreaming in all SADC programmes and activities;
h. submission of harmonized policies and programmes to the Council for consideration and approval;
i. monitoring and evaluating the implementation of regional policies and programmes;
j. collation and dissemination of information on the Community and maintenance of a reliable database;
k. development of capacity, infrastructure and maintenance of intra-regional information communication technology;
l. mobilization of resources, co-ordination and harmonization of programmes and projects with cooperating partners;
m. devising appropriate strategies for self financing and income generating activities and investment;
n. management of special programmes and projects;
o. undertaking research on Community building and the integration process; and
p. preparation and submission to the Council, for approval, administrative regulations, standing orders and rules for management of the affairs of SADC.
2. The Secretariat shall be headed by the Executive Secretary.
3. The Deputy Executive Secretary shall have delegated powers and assist the Executive Secretary in the execution of his or her functions.
4. The Secretariat shall have such other staff as may be determined by the Council from time to time.
5. Except as otherwise provided in this Treaty, the structures of the Secretariat
And specifications, descriptions and grading of jobs of the staff of the Secretariat shall be as determined from time to time by the Council.
Article 15. The Executive Secretary
1. The Executive Secretary shall be responsible to the Council for the following:
a. consultation and coordination with the Governments and other institutions of Member States;
b. pursuant to the direction of Council, Summit or on his or her own initiative, undertaking measures aimed at promoting the objectives of SADC and enhancing its performance;
c. promotion of co-operation with other organisations for the furtherance of the objectives of SADC;
d. organising and servicing meetings of the Summit, the Council, the Standing Committee and any other meetings convened on the direction of the Summit or the Council;
e. custodianship of the property of SADC;
f. appointment of the staff of the Secretariat, in accordance with procedures, and under Terms and Conditions of Service determined by the Council;
g. administration and finances of the Secretariat;
h. preparation of Annual Reports on the activities of SADC and its institutions;
i. preparation of the Budget and Audited Accounts of SADC for submission to the Council;
j. diplomatic and other representations of SADC;
k. public relations and promotion of SADC; and
l. such other functions as may, from time to time, be determined by the Summit and Council.
2. The Executive Secretary shall liaise closely with other institutions, guide, support and monitor the performance of SADC in the various sectors to ensure conformity and harmony with agreed policies, strategies, programmes and projects.
3. The Executive Secretary and the Deputy Executive Secretary shall be appointed for four years, and be eligible for appointment for another period not exceeding four years.
Article 16. The Tribunal
1. The Tribunal shall be constituted to ensure adherence to and the proper interpretation of the provisions of this Treaty and subsidiary instruments and to adjudicate upon such disputes as may be referred to it.
2. The composition, powers, functions, procedures and other related matters governing the Tribunal shall be prescribed in a Protocol, which shall, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 22 of this Treaty, form an integral part of this Treaty, adopted by the Summit.
3. Members of the Tribunal shall be appointed for a specified period.
4. The Tribunal shall give advisory opinions on such matters as the Summit or the Council may refer to it.
5. The decisions of the Tribunal shall be final and binding.
Article 16A. Sadc National Committees
1. Each Member State shall create a SADC National Committee.
2. Each SADC National Committee shall consist of key stakeholders.
3. Each SADC National Committee shall, in its composition, reflect the core areas of integration and coordination referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 12 of this Treaty.
4. It shall be the responsibility of each SADC National Committee to:
a. provide input at the national level in the formulation of SADC
Policies, strategies and programmes of action;
b. coordinate and oversee, at the national level, implementation of SADC programmes of action;
c. initiate projects and issue papers as an input to the preparation of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan, in accordance with the priority areas set out in the SADC Common Agenda; and
d. create a national steering committee, sub-committees and technical committees.
5. Each national steering committee shall consist of the chairperson of the SADC National Committee and the chairpersons of sub-committees.
6. Sub-committees and technical committees of the SADC National Committee shall operate at ministerial and officials levels.
7. A national steering committee shall be responsible for ensuring rapid implementation of programmes that would otherwise wait for a formal meeting of the SADC National Committee.
8. Sub-committees and technical committees shall endeavour to involve key stakeholders in their operations.
9. Each Member State shall create a national secretariat to facilitate the operation of the SADC National Committee.
10. Each national secretariat of a SADC National Committee shall produce and submit reports to the Secretariat at specified intervals.
11. Each Member State shall provide funds for the operation of its national secretariat which shall be structured according to the core areas of integration referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 12 of this Treaty.
12. Each SADC National Committee shall meet at least four times a year.
13. For purposes of this Article, key stakeholders include:
a. government;
b. private sector;