The Southern African Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (SAf-CNGO), formerly known as the SADC Council of NGOs (SADC-CNGO) is a regional umbrella body of national associations of civil society organizations operating in all SADC member states. SAf-CNGO was formed in 1998 and is headquartered in Gaborone, Botswana. The organization was established in line with the fundamental provisions of Articles 23, 16A, and 5(2b) of the SADC Treaty, whereby SADC Member States pledge their solemn commitment to, inter-alia, involve fully the peoples of the region and key stakeholders, including the civil society and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), in the process of regional integration, cooperation, and support for the initiatives of the peoples of the region and key stakeholders, contributing to the fostering of closer relations amongst the communities, associations and peoples of the region; SAf-CNGO exists to facilitate effective and meaningful engagement between civil society in the region and SADC institutions at both national and regional levels, governments in member states, as well as other strategic partners and stakeholders in the work of regional development and integration.