ZAMBIA has told the United Nations that global partnerships and cooperation

are important for the country to get back on track to realise the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Speaking on behalf of Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dr Chola Milambo at the 2023 Partnership Forum of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Counsellor Economics, Mr Oscar Sichimba said full implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs required multi-stakeholder engagements, including young people, civil society, academia, the UN systems and other non-state actors.

Mr Sichimba noted that financing for development remained a major challenge to developing countries. He however, said forging strong partnerships with the United Nations systems, development partners and the international financial institutions was critical in the implementation and achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

Mr Sichimba said partnerships for technology transfer, capacity building, infrastructure development, information and communication technologies were important for stimulating economic growth.

The Partnership Forum was held under the theme, “Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels”.

It brought together Member States, the UN system and stakeholders from civil society, the private sector, scientists, women, youth, local governments and many others to discuss innovative efforts that are driving action on the SDGs, and to highlight the contributions that partnerships can make in this regard.

The Forum is an important opportunity for all stakeholders to provide their views and policy recommendations for the SDG Summit to be held next September during the high-level week of the 78th Session of the General Assembly.

This is according to a press statement issued by Namatama Njekwa, First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations.

A HIGH-power delegation from Zambia National Commercial Bank (Zanaco) Plc comprising of the Board and Management is in Cape Town, South Africa for the annual mining conference, the Investing in African Mining Indaba in a demonstration of the bank’s commitment to back the mining sector.

The Zanaco team led by Board Chairman Patrick Wanjelani join industry and government leaders from across the globe attending the conference, which starts today, 6th February and ends on 9th February.

The Investing in African Mining Indaba is the largest mining investment event in Africa with a proven track record of bringing together Ministers, senior Government representatives, Mining Companies, Mid and Junior Miners, investors, professional services as well as mining equipment providers and commercial banks.

Commenting on the development, Zanaco Chief Executive officer Mukwandi Chibesakunda said the home-grown bank believes that the Investing in African Mining Indaba is an opportunity for stakeholders to dialogue on opportunities, challenges and solutions to grow the mining sector across the continent.

Mrs Chibesakunda said with mining being the main driver of Zambia’s economy, Zanaco will continue to support the growth of the sector.

“The mining sector is the largest taxpayer and largest private sector employer and as Zanaco, we need to ensure that it plays this role effectively by giving it as much support as possible,” she said.

The bank’s loan portfolio to the mining sector stands at US$ 74.1 million.

Zanaco has also collaborated with WEAC and Barrick Lumwana on the 10X accelerator to build capacity for SMEs providing goods and services to Lumwana and ZCCM-Investments Holdings (IH) to enhance value addition to the mining sector.

Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Hon. Paul Kabuswe is representing Zambia at the conference to be attended by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi.

ZAMBIA’s leading Lifestyle PR Agency, PR Girl Media has joined forces with High Fly Tours Ltd, an international travel agency specialised in offering premium travel services. The MOU was signed in Lusaka following an earlier announcement by PR Girl Media of their expansion into other markets across Africa. High Fly Tours will offer unique travel packages to the PR Girl Media clientele with interest in attending these destination events.

PR Girl Media will host their first event in Kinshasa (DR Congo) in February 2023 and in Windhoek (Namibia) in May 2023 which they envision will create opportunities of international tourism and creative exchange in the Pan-African entertainment and Arts industry. Managing Partners of PR Girl Media, the sister-duo Monde and Chishimba Nyambe expressed their delight of the MOU agreement with High Fly Tours Ltd; “As Pan-African entrepreneurs in entertainment, we value this partnership which will ease our operations in the various cities in Africa. This MOU will also allow our brand consumers to experience our continental events with convenient travel.”

Speaking at the signing ceremony of the MOU, Managing Director of High Fly Tours Ltd Mr Ali El Sahili said “We are honoured to play an instrumental role in the growth of a local company by providing services that will contribute to the booming community of leisure travellers and tourism, not only in Zambia but the rest of the globe. We believe in supporting and empowering local enterprises especially those that are led by women”. Mr El Sahili further stated that in addition to their travel services, High Fly Tours Ltd is an authorized DHL agent in Zambia aiming to provide logistical solutions for international businesses.

More details of this partnership can be found on the High Fly Tours Ltd and PR Girl Media social pages where promotional travel packages will be regularly shared. Enthusiasts of destination events and travel can follow the PR Girl Media calendar of events using the hashtags #PRGirl2023 and #PRGirlMedia.