To strengthen bilateral ties and promote development, PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema is scheduled to go to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, today.
The United Arab Emirates’ President, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed al Nahyan, invited Stanley Kakubo, the minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, to attend the Abu Dhabi sustainability week from January 15 to January 17, according to Kakubo.
“With Zambia being the chair of the Africa negotiation team lead up to Cop28, it provides an opportunity for the country to share ideas with other like-minded nations and institutions on sustainable renewable energy that resonates with the existing global climate change issues. In addition, President Hichilema has been invited to participate in a high level panel discussion on the topic “enabling africa to become a clean energy powerhouse”,” he said.
According to him, on the front of bilateral collaboration, the invitation offers a chance to launch both new and operational cooperation agreements in addition to serving as a sign of the two nations’ expanding relations.
“The undertaking, which has come at a time when Zambia is faced with an energy deficit, will also set a platform for the head of state to unlock opportunities for increased investment in renewable and alternative sources of energy in zambia and by extension, address the perrenial electricity deficits,” he said.
According to Mr. Kakubo, the Head of State has also scheduled meetings with important organizations controlled by the UAE government who have expressed a desire to work with Zambia in vital economic sectors like agriculture, energy, mining, finance, tourism, and logistics.
“The President is focused on identifying opportunities and leveraging such opportunies to the betterment of Zambia. In this regard, he will continiue to engage with key strategic partners such as the UAE in a bid to grow the country’s economy, thus creating the much needed employment opportunities for the youth and improve living standards for all Zambians,”he said.