Zambia Calls for Unified Action at RCMRD Council Meeting
Zambia has highlighted the vital importance of regional cooperation and shared geospatial data in tackling Africa’s environmental and developmental challenges, following the conclusion of the 59th Governing Council Meeting of the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) in Nairobi.
Representing the Government of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Patrick Mucheleka, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, highlighted the meeting’s key outcomes.
He emphasised that collaborative action and evidence-based planning are essential for addressing climate change, land degradation, and sustainable natural resource management across the region.
“RCMRD’s work is instrumental in helping our countries make informed decisions, particularly in areas such as land management, environmental monitoring, and climate change adaptation. Through partnerships, shared knowledge, and the effective use of geospatial technologies, we can collectively achieve sustainable development across the region,” Mr Mucheleka said.
He praised RCMRD for its continued support to member states through innovation, data analytics, and capacity-building programmes. He encouraged countries to fully utilise the Centre’s technical expertise to strengthen institutional capacity in land administration and natural resource management.
Mr Mucheleka further noted that the outcomes of the meeting would guide future collaborative initiatives aimed at improving regional resilience, expanding data accessibility, and promoting policy decisions rooted in accurate geospatial information.
“The discussions during this Governing Council have reaffirmed the shared commitment of our countries to work together in addressing pressing regional issues. By leveraging RCMRD’s technical support and fostering cooperation, we can better position our nations to respond effectively to emerging environmental and developmental challenges,” he added.
As Chair of the RCMRD Governing Council, Zambia played a central role in guiding the deliberations, which brought together representatives from 20 member states to review advancements in geospatial development, land governance, and resource management.
The 60th Governing Council Meeting of RCMRD will be hosted by Malawi in November 2026.
RCMRD continues to support member countries through the application of geospatial science, data-driven innovation, and capacity development, enabling governments to design sustainable and effective development policies.
