Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Patricia Scotland QC, has urged Zambia to take advantage of the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that will be held in Rwanda to forge and enhance trade partnerships with Commonwealth Member States.
And Zambia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom His Excellency Lieutenant General Paul Mihova has applauded the cordial and warm relations that have existed between Zambia and the Commonwealth Secretariat for the past 50 years.
Baroness Scotland made the remarks when His Excellency Lieutenant General Mihova paid a courtesy call on her at the Commonwealth Secretariat at Marlborough House in London.
The Secretary General said the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit is an important event and a platform to enhance shared and common values across the Commonwealth family adding that there was so much that Zambia can benefit from other member countries.
Secretary-General Scotland said, “It’s going to be a very exciting meeting. As member countries, we are looking forward to create sustainable partnerships that will benefit the Commonwealth family. The Commonwealth opens up scope for creating synergies,” she said.
And High Commissioner Mihova expressed appreciation for the support and benefits Commonwealth membership bring to the people of Zambia, and the Southern African region.
High Commissioner Mihova said that the Zambian Government remains committed to the core values and principles of the organisation as contained in the Commonwealth Charter.
Lieutenant General Mihova said that the Zambian Government respects and firmly upholds the Commonwealth values and principles of democracy, human rights, international peace and security, freedom of expression, separation of powers, rules of law, good governance, sustainable development, environmental protection, universal access to health, education, food and shelter, youth development and gender equality, among others.
“We want to see more trade between Zambia and other Commonwealth countries and CHOGM 2020 will provide an opportunity for Zambia to have high level dialogue on trade and investment between private enterprises and governments from across the Commonwealth and beyond” he said.
CHOGM 2020 will be held in Rwanda in June at the Kigali Convention Centre under the theme ‘Delivering A Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming’. Five sub-themes have been identified for discussion: Governance and Rule of Law, ICT and Innovation, Youth, Environment, and Trade.
Building on progress since CHOGM 2018 in London, leaders are expected to discuss ways the contemporary Commonwealth can transform societies, in accordance with Commonwealth Charter values of democracy, multilateralism, sustainable development, and empowerment of women and youth.
Zambia was the first African country to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in 1979. 39 Countries attended the 5th CHOGM meeting which was held in Lusaka, Zambia from 1st – 7th August 1979 and was chaired by the First President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda. issues discussed at the meeting included the situation in Rhodesia, the armed conflicts in Indo-China, the global growth of the refugee problem, the situation in Cyprus and Southern Africa. The Lusaka Declaration of the Commonwealth on Racism and Racial Prejudice was issued at the end of the CHOGM, including a special declaration condemning apartheid.
I despise the idea of a commonwealth, why take bride in being a former colony, and ultimate having been a source of slaves?
when did this army general become high an commissioner?
The rules of the catholic not openly recognizing.The right of priests to be married.Is the same divide and rule tactics of colonial Britain.Many black people are copying these divide and rule tactics.But when Britain falls it’s deputies will fall too.Peter Carlos Hinds.
The segregation of women from men and men from women.In the church.Or any where else.Are just Britain’s divide and rule tactics.Peter Carlos Hinds.
I hope that the icons of the commonwealth are not the proverbial trojan horse.Because if that is the case.It will be the end of Zambia.Peter Carlos Hinds.
I always knew that this woman was corrupt. Coming to Zambia to advice us on leaderships values when she herself has failed drastically. There are some dull people here who were so excited of her presence here. So what do you say now after reading about how she has failed to run the organization, and how corrupt she is (awarding contracts to friends etc. !!!!)
Yes we will come to the commonwealth meeting with a huge delegation so that everyone can benefit from allowances.
This woman is on her way out she has failed to run the secretariat
Is she the woman who saved HH?
Is this not the same Mihova who was mired in Corruption /abuse of office allegations involving the long fingered excuse for a President J0na’z Chakokz