Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Jack Mwiimbu says government will support the successful implementation of the ninth United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) country programme with a proposed assistance to Zambia worth over 32 million United States dollars.
Speaking during the presentation of credentials by UNFPA Country Director, Seth Broekman, Mr Mwiimbu thanked UNFPA for the invaluable support it has rendered to Zambia in achieving its ambitions of improving the quality of life of vulnerable groups.
Mr Mwimbu who is also Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security said government remains committed to continued collaboration with agencies of the United Nations system and development partners in implementing national programmes.
Mr Mwiimbu further reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring that the national development goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are achieved.
He stated that government through the Eighth National Development Plan has integrated population issues to ensure that no one is left behind in the country’s development agenda.
Mr Mwiimbu disclosed that for the period of 2023 to 2027 under the ninth country programme, government and UNFPA have partnered on enhancing integration of population factors and support in generation of population data.
He explained that the two parties have focused on harnessing demographic dividend by promoting girl’s education, enhancing family planning provision and scaling up skills development for quality jobs.
Mr Mwiimbu added that prevention of child marriages and reduction of teenage pregnancies as well as gender based violence are among other areas of focus for the period.
“I want to assure you that this partnership of so many years has led to great aspirations, achievements by this country in improving the quality of life for our women, young people and the communities in Zambia,” he said.
Meanwhile, UNFPA Country Director, Seth Broekman reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to Zambia in an effort to improve the quality of life for the people.
Mr Broekman assured that UNFPA’s will support the achievement of Zambia’s development aspirations.
It is commendable to see the commitment of the Zambian government to collaborate with UN agencies and development partners to achieve their national and sustainable development goals. The proposed assistance worth over 32 million US dollars to support the successful implementation of the UNFPA country programme is a significant step towards improving the quality of life for vulnerable groups in Zambia. It is also heartening to see the focus on promoting girl’s education, family planning, skills development, and addressing gender-based violence and child marriages. The partnership between the government and UNFPA is a testament to the great achievements that can be made through collaboration, and we hope to see more initiatives that prioritize the well-being of the people of Zambia.
What are you going to gain from this? this government is living in a different era…probably in the year 1600.
Jack is another lost Minister. He’s completely blank about most decisions being made by departments under his Ministry. You can see the pain as he tries to justify some actions by for a example the Police. He doesn’t even know how his officers are living in their camps. He’s completely lost