"We are working closely with a number of partners, especially the UN, to improve security against terrorism," said Prega Ramsamy, executive secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

"We are also working with our immigration and security department so that we can better protect ourselves," Ramsamy said.

Among the other measures the 13 member states are working on include an early warning unit, he said.

Ramsamy said the member countries of Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe were also mulling tackling the HIV/AIDS pandemic through common action.

"We are considering the bulk purchasing of drugs in an attempt to bring down the prices of drugs. We are also looking at the drug legislation and to see as to whether we cannot import as a group," he said.

"We are also working with a number of countries, including India, to access the generic drugs and lure in pharmaceutical companies ... in the region," he added.

At the end of 2003, the United Nations estimates, 26.6 million people in countries south of the Sahara desert were HIV-positive out of a world total of 65 million.

That includes prevalence rates approaching 40 percent of adults in some countries and 60 percent in those countries' worst-hit regions.

The theme of the five-day conference, which was inaugurated late Sunday in Gaborone by Botswana President Festus Mogae, is "Acting Together for a Just World."

Key speakers include former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson and UN children's rights champion and the wife of former president Nelson Mandela, Graca Machel.

TERRA.WIRE