Zambia Shines at 2025 Global Saemaul Undong Ministerial and Leadership Forum
Zambia has earned international recognition as a transformative model in community development through the Saemaul Undong initiative.
At the ongoing 2025 Global Saemaul Ministerial Meeting and the Global Saemaul Leadership Forum, Zambia showcased its commitment to community-led development while contributing to the achievement of global development goals.
The forum has brought together Saemaul cooperative nations and leaders from across the globe to reaffirm Saemaul Undong as a proven model for sustainable development and shared prosperity. Discussions focused on aligning Saemaul Undong principles with national rural development policies, encouraging countries to adapt the model to local contexts, sharing successful policy experiences, and strengthening international partnerships and networks.
Leading the Zambian delegation, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Ms Beatrice Chilomo, reiterated Zambia’s commitment to building resilient communities through people-driven development approaches.
She also represented the country at the UN-DESA–Saemaul Undong International Seminar, which centred on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enhancing local governance through Saemaul Undong.
Zambia’s participation was further enriched by contributions from the Saemaul Undong Zambia Coordinator, Ms Musonda Chisanga, and a community leader from Nanduba Village in Chikankata District, who shared the country’s lived experiences in implementing community-driven development.
Now in its third year of implementation, the Saemaul Undong model in Zambia has recorded remarkable progress in transforming communities through the values of self-help, diligence, and cooperation. Pilot villages such as Nanduba, Nansenga, Shakulya, and Mwachiyaba are demonstrating inspiring results in areas including infrastructure development, water and sanitation, improved livelihoods, and community empowerment.
Through the Saemaul Undong approach, Zambia is proving that rural communities can actively lead their own development journey while making meaningful contributions to global goals.
