Former Secretary General of the United Nations His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki Moon has commended the Government of His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, for the commitment to green growth initiatives.
Mr. Ban, who is the President and Chair of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), praised Zambia during a meeting with Minister of Green Economy and Environment Hon. Mike Elton Mposha at the Global Green Growth Week 2024 in Seoul, Korea.
Mr. Ban expressed gratitude for Zambia becoming the 46th member of the GGGI.
Mr. Ban commended Hon. Mposha for highlighting Zambia’s green growth initiatives and the interests of the African continent during ministerial panel discussions.
Hon. Mposha informed Mr. Ban that under the leadership of President Hichilema, Zambia is committed to combat climate change.
The Minister further briefed Mr. Ban about the severe impact of climate change-induced drought in Zambia.
Earlier during a bilateral meeting, GGGI Director-General Dr. Frank Rijsberman also praised Zambia for its legal frameworks and policies that enhance resilience to climate change.
Dr. Rijsberman assured Zambia of GGGI’s continued support.
Hon. Mposha told Dr. Rijsberman that Zambia was thankful to GGGI for its financial and technical support, which has been crucial in advancing Zambia’s green growth initiatives.
“This year, GGGI supported the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment in developing its Green Growth Strategy, which was launched in April 2024; GGGI assists the Government through Supporting Preparedness for Article 6 Cooperation (SPARC6) programme on carbon market readiness and provides technical assistance in preparing bilateral agreements,” Hon.
Mposha said. “We are scheduled to sign agreements with Sweden and Norway at the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.”
The Minister said Zambia aims to increase engagement in the “Africa and Middle East Safe” initiative, focusing on climate-resilient agriculture and food security.
Hon. Mposha highlighted ongoing efforts with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and emphasised Zambia’s commitment to deepening cooperation with GGGI and international partners.
Hon. Mposha also briefed the GGGI Director-General on Zambia’s worst drought in decades, affecting over six million people. He explained that President Hichilema declared the drought a national disaster and emergency in February this year. Additionally, he said the drought has led to hydropower supply challenges, considering that over 80 per cent of Zambia’s power is generated from hydropower.
The Minister said despite these challenges, Zambia is keen to accelerate green interventions in energy and agriculture, and reduce deforestation.
Ministry of Green Economy and Environment permanent secretary Dr. Douty Chibamba, Zambia’s Ambassador to Korea His Excellency Andrew Bwezani Banda, and National Designated Authority (NDA) Coordinator Mr. Billy Katontoka accompanied Hon. Mposha at the Bilateral meeting with Dr. Rijsberman, who was in the company of his deputy Helena McLeod and GGGI Africa Director Mallé Fofana.
The GGGI, a treaty-based international organisation formed in 2012, is dedicated to promoting sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. It has 48-member countries and is headquartered in Seoul, Korea. Zambia joined GGGI in 2023.
