Zambia has called for urgent action to translate the United Nations Pact for the Future into measurable national outcomes.
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Mulambo Haimbe says implementation of the pact must be a collective responsibility, with countries moving beyond global commitments to address development challenges at national level.
Mr Haimbe was speaking in New York at a high-level event assessing Africa’s progress, challenges and opportunities, two years after the adoption of the Pact for the Future.
According to a statement issued by First Secretary Press and Public Relations at Zambia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Namatama Njekwa, Mr Haimbe said Zambia’s role in co-facilitating the Global Digital Compact and the Sevilla Commitment places the country at the centre of efforts to advance digital cooperation and reform development financing.
He said the Global Digital Compact is moving into implementation through the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, while the Sevilla Commitment is supporting reforms to the international financial architecture.
The discussions highlighted Africa’s challenges, including high borrowing costs, debt servicing, poverty, hunger, inequality, limited access to basic services, technology transfer gaps and illicit financial flows.
Participants also noted progress, including increased electricity access for 50 million more Africans, climate commitments and progress towards a UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation.
Meanwhile, Zambia and the Principality of Andorra have established diplomatic relations through the signing of a Joint Communique.
Mr Haimbe and his Andorran counterpart, Imma Tor Faus, identified sustainable tourism as a shared priority in addressing climate change, creating jobs and advancing education.
Mr Haimbe is representing President Hakainde Hichilema at the 81st United Nations General Assembly and is scheduled to deliver Zambia’s General Debate statement on Monday, September 28.
By Mulenga Chipampe Makasa
