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Zambia seeks support from UN for green economy as UNDP commits $150,000

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In a bid to boost its green economy, the Zambian government has reached out to the United Nations (UN) to help secure international funding for its initiatives, especially on the need for financial resources to achieve the country’s environmental goals.

Zambia’s Green Economy and Environment Minister, Mike Mposha, who made the appeal during a meeting with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, James Wakiaga, in Lusaka on Wednesday, emphasized the need for knowledge sharing and capacity development which he said were critical for the successful implementation of sustainable development policies.

“We invite the UN to support capacity-building programmes for our government officials, civil society organizations and the private sector,” Mposha said during the meeting.

He also solicited UN support in developing climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, including enhancing Zambia’s capacity to access climate finance and implementing sustainable land management practices.

Wakiaga, who also addressed the meeting, acknowledged the environmental and socio-economic challenges caused by drought and exacerbated by climate change.

He went on to outline UNDP’s commitment to support the Zambian government’s drought response efforts, including repurposing solar-powered irrigation under the SCRALA Project to ensure affected communities have year-round access to water and food production.

“The energy deficit negatively impacts economic sectors and could lead to further environmental degradation, such as increased charcoal production,” Wakiaga said.

He noted that UNDP was supporting government initiatives within the green growth strategy to promote access to renewable energy through the productive use of electricity.

Wakiaga also announced that UNDP would provide financial and technical assistance to the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment (MGEE) to develop gender and youth-inclusive programmes that support resilience, low-emission practices and water efficiency, aiding Zambia in meeting its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) goals.

“Through its Climate Promise initiative, UNDP has committed USD 150,000 to support Zambia in undertaking a stock-take of NDC implementation, assessing progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” Wakiaga added.

Wakiaga further stated the urgency of conducting a gap analysis of early warning systems and infrastructure, given the anticipated extreme climate change, to ensure that real-time and localised climate information reaches farming communities.

Metro

Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

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A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.

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Mpox immunisation scarcity slows Kinshasa’s epidemic fight

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A lack of mpox vaccine doses has prevented the Democratic Republic of the Congo from starting a campaign in the capital, Kinshasa, the response commander has confirmed.  However, the number of cases nationwide is still rising, particularly among youngsters.

 

In mid-August, a new strain of pox started to spread from the Congo to neighbouring countries, prompting the WHO to declare a global health emergency. However, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, donors have been hesitant to turn their pledges into cash and vaccines.

 

The head of operations for Congo’s mpox control program, Cris Kacita, stated on Tuesday that the country needed more than 162,000 doses of vaccine to start a vaccination campaign in the capital, but that 53,921 doses were still available for use in prisons, where inmates are at greater risk because of unsanitary conditions.

 

The capital, which is home to about 20 million people, has so far been less impacted than other parts of the nation. In six other provinces, vaccination campaigns are now underway.

 

Along with additional shipments from Germany and the African Union, France has committed to providing 100,000 doses.

 

He added the arrival of vaccines was also delayed by the administrative process, which includes sending an official request, manufacturing, creating documentation and gaining import authorisations.

 

“As long as we don’t have the necessary quantity, it’s going to be complicated to launch (vaccination) in the 14 health zones,” Kacita told Reuters, referring to areas of Kinshasa.

 

According to a health ministry study, from October 28 to November 2, 1,017 new suspected cases were registered nationwide in Congo, including 45 confirmed cases and 16 fatalities.

 

Since children are almost four times more likely than adults to die from the new strain of mpox, the charity Save the Children warned on Wednesday that targeted vaccines were necessary to halt the virus from spreading quickly among children.

 

“Children are especially vulnerable to mpox – they explore by touch and taste, don’t always understand health guidance, and have weaker immune systems than adults,” Katia Vieira de Moraes LaCasse from Save the Children said.

 

According to Africa CDC data, there have been over 42,000 suspected cases of Mpox in the continent, with 1,100 deaths reported so far this year.

 

The Mpox virus can spread from person to person via intimate contact and also from place to person through objects and surfaces that a person infected with Mpox has touched.

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