Zambia-Sweden High-Level Talks Advance Bilateral Ties in Climate, Innovation, and Economic Development
The Permanent Secretaries from Zambia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ms. Etambuyu Anamela Gundersen, and Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Ms. Subeta Mutelo, held strategic meetings with senior Swedish officials to deepen Zambia-Sweden relations.
Key meetings included talks with Mr. Dag Hartelius, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs; Ms. Diana Janse, State Secretary to the Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade; and Ambassador Mikael Lindvall, Head of the Africa Department.
Focused discussions centered on mutual interests such as climate resilience, sustainable energy, digital innovation, and economic development, marking a significant step in reinforcing the longstanding Zambia-Sweden partnership.
As Zambia and Sweden approach the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, both nations pledged to celebrate through cultural exchanges, policy forums, and collaborative projects promoting sustainability.
Ms. Gundersen underscored the importance of renewable energy partnerships for Zambia’s sustainable energy transition, while Ms. Mutelo highlighted Zambia’s drive to enhance the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector, part of the nation’s Economic Diplomacy strategy. Talks included prospective business-to-business (B2B) collaborations in sectors like mining and innovation.
The discussions also acknowledged the Global Digital Compact initiative, co-led by Zambia and Sweden, aimed at closing digital divides. The Zambian delegation requested Sweden’s support for Dr. Samuel Maimbo’s candidacy for African Development Bank President, with backing from SADC and COMESA, emphasizing Dr. Maimbo’s leadership in advancing sustainable economic goals in Africa.
