The Governments of the United States of America and Sweden have praised Zambia’s socio-economic development.
Reviewing Zambia’s National Voluntary Presentation during the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Annual Ministerial Review meeting in New York on Friday, Sweden’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Olof Skoog and US Acting Representative to ECOSOC Ambassador Richard Erdman separately commended the Zambian Government’s commitment to reducing poverty and improving the wellbeing of Zambians.
Finance Deputy Minister Christopher Mvunga delivered Zambia’s National Voluntary Presentation report titled: “Managing the transition from MDGs to SDGs: What it will take? The Zambian Experience.”
Ambassador Erdman commended Mr. Mvunga for his presentation on the progress and challenges that Zambia made and faced during the implementation of MDGs and transition to Sustainable Development Goals.
“Thank you, Deputy Finance Minister Mvunga, for your presentation, which well illustrates the challenges of ensuring that solid economic growth also contributes to poverty reduction and sustainable development,” Ambassador Erdman said. “Zambia should be proud of its solid macroeconomic performance, with 10 years of 6.0% annual GDP growth, moderate inflation, relatively low external debt, and an increase in foreign domestic investment.”
Ambassador Erdman said the US appreciated hearing about Zambia’s experiences and lessons learned in trying to translate this performance into poverty reduction and improved sustainable development, including the need to focus on outcomes and the importance of strengthened partnerships with the private sector and civil society organizations.
“While facing many challenges, Zambia has made impressive progress in some of the MDGs as documented in its report, including in the reduction of under-five mortality, a significant decline in maternal mortality, and access to reproductive health,” said Ambassador Erdman.
“The report identifies several issues as essential in the transition from the MDGs to the SDGs. These include a new development paradigm based on partnerships; national policies that are outcome-based; and, the need to ensure that development of institutions and human capital are an integral part of the development process.”
And Ambassador Skoog said Sweden welcomed the strong focus in the report on issues concerning governance, accountability, transparency, rule of law and participation.
He encouraged Zambia to continue its efforts to empower women and girls.
Ambassador Skoog said special challenges that Zambia faces, including being a landlocked country and being spread over a very wide area, should be recognized.
During a bilateral meeting with Mr. Mvunga, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development in the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Lenni Montiel assured the Government of the UN’s continued support to improve the lives of Zambians.
Mr. Mvunga commended all UN agencies in Zambia for their positive contribution to the country’s development agenda.
The SDGs – a proposed set of targets relating to future international development – will be adopted by Heads of State and Government to replace MDGs at the latter’s expiration during the UN Summit for the adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda to be held from 25 to 27 September 2015 in New York.
Interesting! meanwhile Sweden is withholding aid too Zambia because of too many thieves! Shame
Mushota, tell them about the poverty these Zambians are being praised to have achieved? Would you spend a night in place like Madevu in Lusaka Mushota?
These whites never seize to amaze me
chamibaba wen others are praising Zambia for the improvement u a alone a condeming
It is clear that what was being praised are the facts as presented in report. The question to be posed is, does the data presented factual.
I guess it was a nicely written report. How much it corresponds to reality on the ground is another thing.
There is something wrong with the US and Sweden because the situation on the ground is bad!
We forget that there is also good in Zambia. We focus way too much on the negatives. Let us also grow our nation and not let government be the wheel, clearly the have no interest in Zambia’s growth. May Jesus bless Zambia and Zambians everywhere, also Bless East Africans, Nigerians, Egyptians even South Africans ( they need redemption).