Hon. Haimbe Leads Zambia Delegation to SADC Council of Ministers Meeting
Hon. Mulambo Haimbe, SC, M.P, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, is spearheading the Zambian delegation at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers Meeting in Luanda, Angola, from March 10th to 11th, 2024.
Hosted by His Excellency Ambassador Téte António, Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Angola, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Council of Ministers, the meeting brings together ministers from SADC Member States to ensure the implementation of regional policies and decisions.
During his intervention statement, Hon. Haimbe paid tribute to the late President of the Republic of Namibia, His Excellency Dr. Hage Geingob, who passed away in February 2024. He also extended deepest sympathies to the people of the United Republic of Tanzania on the passing of former President Mr. Ali Hassan Mwinyi, highlighting their contributions to Pan Africanism and continental unity.
As Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, Hon. Haimbe expressed condolences over the loss of two soldiers on peacekeeping duty in the Democratic Republic of Congo, extending sympathies to South Africa and the bereaved families.
Addressing challenges in Zambia, Hon. Haimbe highlighted increased flooding, prolonged dry spells, extreme temperatures, and other environmental issues exacerbated by the Covid-19 Pandemic. He emphasized Zambia’s commitment to SADC’s objectives by allocating resources to the Secretariat.
Regarding food security, Hon. Haimbe underscored the impact of prolonged dry spells on livestock production, including reduced weight, increased diseases, and inadequate water supply. Zambia plans to construct watering points and scale-up weirs to enhance access to water for livestock and forage production.
Furthermore, Zambia is promoting drought-tolerant legume pastures and hay conservation to mitigate food insecurity. Hon. Haimbe emphasized the importance of assessing the impacts of the El Nino weather pattern in the region to formulate actionable solutions for food and nutrition security.
The meeting, themed “Human and Financial Capital: The Key Drivers for Sustainable Industrialisation in the SADC Region,” will also include updates on regional integration programs. Hon. Haimbe is expected to return to Zambia promptly after his engagements.
