Vice President Mutale Nalumango arrived in Geneva, Switzerland for a series of engagements that include addressing the Human Rights 75 event and the Global Refugee Forum.
The meetings will take place at the United Nations Office in Geneva from 11th to 14th December, 2023. On the sidelines of the two events, the Vice President is scheduled to confer with several Heads of UN organisations on various issues including disaster risk management.
Speaking on arrival at Geneva International Airport, Mrs. Nalumango said Zambia will continue to participate at global fora in such engagements to remain current on issues that affect development such as human rights and refugee challenges.
“I believe that discussing human rights today is important so that we can see how we can approach this in light of various developmental challenges such as climate change that affect the wellbeing of our people. And this is why as Zambia we are attending these events,” she said.
The Vice President stated that Zambia will not relent in its efforts to shelter people seeking refuge from other countries due to conflicts as mandated by the UN, hence making programmes such as the Global Forum on Refugees in Geneva, an important undertaking for the Country to participate in.
“As a country we have hosted refugees for many years and we will continue providing shelter to those seeking protection from conflicts in our region,” she said.
The UN is celebrating 75 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and would like nations across the globe to make fresh pledges in the wake of new challenges regarding the protection of fundamental human rights in member States.
Countries are further expected to reaffirm their commitment to addressing climate change issues that have continued impacting human developmental programmes globally.
During the Global Forum on Refugees, member States and stakeholders will also be given a platform to take stock of current refugee challenges as well as discussing opportunities ahead.
Mrs. Nalumango will be among hundreds of Heads of State and government that will grace the UN meetings in Geneva.
Several stakeholders, human rights defenders, artists, sports leaders and young people are also expected to be among delegates to the two global events at the Pale Denasio in the heart of Geneva.
At least she has been offered a christmas holiday.
In the past it was HH goes to Washington …….Mutale goes to Kanakantapa. HH and wife go to Dubai…..Mutale goes to Kashikishi. HH goes to London ….Mutale is in Shangombo. HH goes to Stockholm Sweden…..Mutale is in Mutenguleni.
At least this time she has gone abroad. I hope she has gone with the Pastor husband.
@lundwe: Tribalists of the world rejoice, the vice-president has been allowed to go on a foreign trip!!!! Ms Nalumango is a wise and thoughtful lady, and does not share in your tribalist nonsense. She is focused on delivering solutions for the country. This is a genuinely empowered vice-president, and not the token that Inonge Wina was.
How did this happen? Nalumango in Geneva and HH just salivating in New Kasama!!!! The tarmac at KKIA must have scampered asking who is this now? Someone at Cabinet office in the protocol office will lose his/her job.
Nalumango come back home! You hijacked HH’s trip!
Will our human rights records improve after this conference? Because, sadly, human rights are being stifled by this government on daily basis. Media is being threatened, political rights are shrinking and freedoms of expression and association are being trampled on.
Nothing will change. These are talk shops. Any conference held in December is a Christmas gathering. Nothing more. So our VP has gone for a holiday and christmass shopping.
@Chiza Chirwa: Really, is this selective amnesia or outright deceit spewing from your mouth??? HH was arrested 15 times by a thug who promised to charge him treason should he win. Roving thugs from PF roamed the bus stops and markets, extorting money from taxi operators and marketeers for their own gain, failure to which violence was guaranteed… UPND supporters were routinely beaten by the police. UPND was denied the right to assemble or have rallies… WTF are you talking about?
Human rights dont apply to Africa so what are you on about ?
Stop pretending we a 1st world nation
More wasting of tax payers money when dollar is at 26
Safe trip Madam!