Today marks a memorable day in the history of our country, Malawi. This is not only because we are hosting a SADC Joint Ministers Meeting, but also because this gathering will transact business that will respond to the urgent and dynamic needs of the Education and Training, and Science, Technology and Innovation sectors of SADC Member States at a critical time when we are responding to multiple challenges.

This is also a time, however, when we have an opportunity to combine our efforts and link with national, regional and global partnership efforts that are beginning to see Education, Training, Science Technology and Innovation as a central pillar to meet our national, regional and global challenges.

The last several years have seen our economies, and particularly our education systems, badly hit by the twin effects of Covid19 and climate change. All Ministers present here today will have their own horrific stories of lost schooling due to Covid-19. They will also have stories relating to climate change. These 4 may include the disastrous rising of sea levels being experienced by island states or the devastation due to the tropical storms of the Indian Ocean and associated flooding that have demolished communities and the school systems within them.