By Felix Katyetye
Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon has praised the Zambian government for its strong commitment to green growth and climate resilience initiatives.
Speaking during the Global Green Growth Week 2024 in Seoul, Korea, Ban, who is President and Chair of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), commended Zambia’s leadership in environmental sustainability and lauded its recent membership in GGGI.
Zambia, which became the 46th member of the GGGI in 2023, was represented by Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Mike Elton Mposha.
Mr. Ban commended the Minister for showcasing Zambia’s green growth efforts and representing Africa’s interests during ministerial panel discussions.
He also expressed appreciation for Zambia’s proactive approach to combat climate change under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema.
Mr. Mposha informed Ban of the severe droughts affecting Zambia, exacerbated by climate change.
The Minister outlined Zambia’s green growth initiatives, including a recently launched Green Growth Strategy and partnerships to strengthen carbon market readiness through GGGI’s SPARC6 program.
During bilateral talks, GGGI Director-General Frank Rijsberman also commended Zambia for its solid legal frameworks to combat climate change and reaffirmed GGGI’s continued support.
“Zambia has shown remarkable progress in building climate resilience, highlighting GGGI’s financial and technical support, which has been pivotal in advancing the country’s green agenda,” Dr. Rijsberman stated.
Mposha expressed Zambia’s gratitude for GGGI’s assistance and confirmed that Zambia is set to sign key bilateral agreements with Sweden and Norway at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
In addition to energy and agriculture, Zambia aims to strengthen its role in the “Africa and Middle East Safe” initiative, focusing on climate-resilient agriculture and food security.
Mposha noted ongoing collaborations with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to strengthen Zambia’s green economy while addressing the country’s worst drought in decades, which has severely impacted hydropower generation, a critical source of energy for Zambia.
The Minister’s delegation included Dr. Douty Chibamba, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, Zambia’s Ambassador to Korea Andrew Bwezani Banda, and NDA Coordinator Mr. Billy Katontoka.
They were joined by GGGI officials, including Deputy Director-General Helena McLeod and Africa Director Mallé Fofana.
The GGGI, is an international organization dedicated to sustainable growth in developing economies, continues to work closely with Zambia in fostering green economic development.
