Ban Ki Moon Applauds Zambia’s Green Growth Initiatives at Global Green Growth Week 2024
Former UN Secretary-General and President of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), His Excellency Ban Ki Moon, has praised Zambia for its robust commitment to green growth and environmental sustainability.
Mr. Ban lauded the Zambian government, led by President Hakainde Hichilema, during a meeting with the Zambian Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Hon. Mike Elton Mposha, at the Global Green Growth Week 2024 in Seoul, Korea.
Mr. Ban expressed his gratitude for Zambia’s recent membership in the GGGI, which now includes 48 member countries, and recognized Zambia’s leadership in advancing the green growth agenda on the African continent. During the ministerial panel discussions, Hon. Mposha highlighted Zambia’s ongoing efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainable development.
Hon. Mposha briefed Mr. Ban about Zambia’s significant challenges posed by climate change, including a severe drought affecting millions of citizens. He emphasized the Zambian government’s commitment to accelerating green interventions, particularly in energy, agriculture, and reforestation efforts.
GGGI Director-General Dr. Frank Rijsberman also praised Zambia for its progressive policies aimed at building resilience to climate change. Dr. Rijsberman reaffirmed GGGI’s ongoing support for Zambia, particularly in developing the country’s Green Growth Strategy, which was launched in April 2024.
GGGI has also been instrumental in assisting Zambia through the Supporting Preparedness for Article 6 Cooperation (SPARC6) programme, focused on carbon market readiness.
Hon. Mposha expressed Zambia’s gratitude for GGGI’s technical and financial support, which has been critical in advancing the nation’s green growth goals. He also announced plans to sign bilateral agreements with Sweden and Norway during the upcoming 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
As part of Zambia’s strategic vision, Hon. Mposha reiterated the country’s participation in the Africa and Middle East Safe initiative, emphasizing climate-resilient agriculture and food security. Zambia has also been working closely with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to boost its green economy initiatives.
Despite the ongoing drought and energy challenges caused by Zambia’s reliance on hydropower, Hon. Mposha emphasized that Zambia remains focused on its green transition, with efforts to mitigate deforestation and enhance renewable energy adoption.
The meeting was attended by senior Zambian officials, including Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Permanent Secretary Dr. Douty Chibamba, Zambia’s Ambassador to Korea H.E. Andrew Bwezani Banda, and GGGI Africa Director Mallé Fofana.
Zambia joined the GGGI in 2023, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development and international collaboration to address climate change.
