(Seychelles News Agency) - The President of Seychelles Danny Faure leaves the country on Friday to attend the 37th summit of the Heads of States of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) taking place during the weekend in South Africa.

This is the first summit Faure is attending as Seychelles' head of state. He attended the 35th summit in August 2015 when he was the vice-president in the administration of former President James Michel.

The summit runs from August 19 to 20 under the theme “Partnering with the private sector in developing industry and regional value-chains.”

The SADC summit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the formation of the regional bloc, August 17, 1992, in Windhoek, Namibia. The total membership has since grown to 15 member states.

The Southern African Development Community's main objectives are to achieve economic development, peace and security, growth, alleviate poverty, enhance the standard and quality of life of the peoples of Southern Africa and support the socially disadvantaged through regional integration.

At the 37th summit, South African President Jacob Zuma will assume the SADC chairmanship taking over from King Mswati III from Swaziland. South Africa will occupy the presidency until August next year.

The summit follows the meeting of the Council of Ministers, which took place from August 15 to 16. 

President Faure will return on August 23.