Minister Nzovu Holds Bilateral Talks with USAID Administrator Samantha Power to advance Partnership in addressing Climate Change
,,,as USAID and African Union Commission commits to strengthen implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) in tackling the Climate crisis
On the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Conference of the Parties (COP26), Minister of Green Economy and Environment Hon. Collins Nzovu has held a series of bilateral talks with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power aimed at advancing partnership between Zambia and USAID to address the climate crisis.
During the meetings that were held on 7th and 8th November, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland, the two discussed Zambia’s strides in implementing the Paris Agreement and participation in the Comprehensive Africa Climate Change Initiative (CACCI) which is supported by USAID through the African Union Commission.
The CACCI is a USAID joint climate initiative with the African Union Commission’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE), and African Member States to strengthen national, regional and continental capacity to implement NDCs and NAPs in Africa.
The Minister emphasised government’s efforts in restoration of forests as well as the importance of fighting corruption in order to effectively address climate change.
Hon Nzovu further called for more action and resources to stem the most severe impacts of climate change and promote resilience on the continent.
“Zambia welcomes the Comprehensive Africa Climate Change Initiative (CACCI) which is promoted by the US government through the USAID in partnership with African countries in tackling climate change through implementation of NDCs and NAPs,” he said.
Minister Nzovu informed the Administrator and the assembly of other Ministers and representatives of various governments that Zambia had recently set out on a path to renew its commitment to environmental sustainability as well as governance and accountability.
“The New Government has instituted reforms to address corrupt practices in the management of the country’s natural resources in order to ensure that citizens derive maximum benefits from the prudent exploitation of the same,” Hon Nzovu said.
He added that it was for that reason that the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment was created with the full mandate to ensure that the economy is developed in a sustainable manner and the ministry had already embarked on institutional and legal reforms to ensure the successful greening of the economy.
Meanwhile, Administrator Power acknowledged the challenges Zambia was facing in implementing its NDC and committed to admitting Zambia as one of the two countries to pilot the CACCI in Africa.
She also commended Zambia’s fight against corruption and the commitment to good governance under the new administration.
