SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY 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, Sectoral and Cluster Ministerial Committees and Troika of the Sectoral and Cluster Ministerial Committees; (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; 2. (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. The Secretariat shall be headed by the Executive Secretary who shall be assisted by one or more Deputy Executive Secretaries as the Summit may decide from time to time. Consolidated text of the Treaty of the Southern African Development Community, as Amended - 13 -