Zambia Uses UN General Assembly to Push Investment and Trade Agenda

Zambia is using the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York to strengthen diplomatic relationships and pursue investment and trade opportunities as Government takes its Grow Zambia Agenda to the international stage.

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Mulambo Haimbe is representing President Hakainde Hichilema during the high-level engagements, which coincide with the UNGA81 General Debate that opened on 22 September.

The Zambian delegation’s programme places considerable emphasis on economic diplomacy, with Government seeking investment, expanded trade and international partnerships capable of contributing to job creation and economic growth.

Mr Haimbe has held bilateral engagements with representatives of Malawi and Cuba covering areas including trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, connectivity, health and education.

Discussions with Malawi also included the country’s interest in the Lobito Development Corridor, an infrastructure and trade route intended to strengthen connections between mineral-producing areas in the region and Angola’s Atlantic coast.

Zambia and Cuba, meanwhile, reaffirmed their longstanding bilateral relationship and discussed continued cooperation at the United Nations and other multilateral institutions.

The UNGA programme has also provided Zambia with an opportunity to broaden its diplomatic network. The country has established diplomatic relations with Uruguay and Vanuatu as part of engagements taking place around the General Assembly.

Health Minister Professor Roma Chilengi has separately participated in discussions focused on reforms to the global health architecture, while Mr Haimbe has engaged senior United Nations officials on human rights, development coordination and early-warning mechanisms.

Zambia is also campaigning for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2027–2029 term and is seeking support from other countries for its candidature.

The engagements reflect the economic diplomacy mandate President Hichilema gave Mr Haimbe following his reappointment as Foreign Affairs Minister earlier this month. The President directed Zambia’s diplomatic missions to actively promote the country’s investment opportunities and economic interests abroad.

Further engagements focusing on investment, energy and infrastructure are expected as Zambia continues its programme during UNGA81 in New York.