Durban International Convention Centre Complex (ICC) ablution facility will receive a R11.9 million upgrade ahead of the upcoming Southern African Development Community (SADC) taking place in August.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa explained that the decision to host the summit in the province was influenced by the significant progress made in revitalising and restoring its former stature.
“Durban indeed is the tourism mecca of our country, and we wanted to stay like that and even get better. In order to confirm this, I am pleased to announce that eThekwini will be the venue of the 46th Ordinary Summit of the Heads of States and Government of Southern Africa. So, because of all the work that you’re doing and the progress that you’re making, we will bring the SADC heads of state here in this metro,” Ramaphosa said.
The event is aimed at advancing the implementation of the SADC industrialisation strategy and roadmap (2015-2063) by promoting regional industrialisation, investment, trade, infrastructure development, and economic integration. The SADC members will also visit key industrial nodes in Durban.
The SADC 2026 theme is: Resilient, sustainable, and inclusive industrialisation through infrastructure development, agricultural and critical minerals transformation in pursuit of a just world.
According to the municipality, the summit will see South Africa assume the chairship of SADC for the next 12 months, providing an opportunity to strengthen regional cooperation, economic integration, peace and security across Southern Africa.
