President Lungu addresses AU summit
Republican President Edgar Lungu has delivered his maiden speech to the African Union (AU) at the on-going 24th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State.
President Lungu thanked the AU for the overwhelming support that Zambia received during the trying period following the death President Michael Chilufya Sata and the challenging transition that followed.
He said the just ended presidential by-election in what was a hotly contested race, has once again demonstrated the collective resolve of the Zambian people to ensure that Democracy and Good Governance are firmly entrenched in the governance system.
The President also thanked the AU, SADC and COMESA for sending Election Monitoring and Observation Missions to Zambia.
President Lungu said Zambia continues to be privileged to have demonstrated that it is possible to have peaceful changes of Government, even for that matter, from one political party to another.
President Lungu reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to the ideals of the African Union and pledged his administration’s readiness to remain fully engaged in the activities the continental body.
He stated that Zambia will seek to enhance her presence at the continental level and beyond, by making her voice heard and actively participating in the programmes of the Union.
On the subject of AU Agenda 2063, President Lungu said Zambia firmly believes that this is an important blueprint for the future of the continent and should be fully supported, as a vehicle for Africa’s development.
He said there is need to ensure that the spirit and resolve contained in the document is fully incorporated into the Post 2015 Development Agenda process and other global developmental efforts.
Mr Lungu stated that as a continent, Africa should prioritise her strategic economic partnerships in order to ensure that they speak to the African Agenda and that the continent’s interests are safeguarded.
The Head of State reassured the AU Assembly that Zambia will be more actively engaged in peace-building and conflict-resolution initiatives on the continent, and particularly within SADC and the Great Lakes region.
He further called for collaborated efforts to combat the Ebola pandemic, which he described as a serious emerging threat to global social and economic security.
President Lungu also condemned the increasing occurrences of ruthless attacks and violent tendencies of terrorist groups as well as the militarisation of extreme faith-based organisations in some parts of Africa and called for urgent concerted effort to deal with the problem.
Regarding the reform of the United Nations, the President reassured the AU Assembly that Zambia will, through her membership of the AU Committee of Ten, continue to play her part in ensuring that the process is accelerated.
Mr Lungu said to this effect, Zambia will be hosting the next meeting of the Committee of 10.
President stated that Zambia supports the AU theme for 2015 as a measure of long-standing commitment to the importance of women to development and their role in leadership.
President Lungu thanked the AU for the overwhelming support that Zambia received during the trying period following the death President Michael Chilufya Sata and the challenging transition that followed.
He said the just ended presidential by-election in what was a hotly contested race, has once again demonstrated the collective resolve of the Zambian people to ensure that Democracy and Good Governance are firmly entrenched in the governance system.
The President also thanked the AU, SADC and COMESA for sending Election Monitoring and Observation Missions to Zambia.
President Lungu said Zambia continues to be privileged to have demonstrated that it is possible to have peaceful changes of Government, even for that matter, from one political party to another.
President Lungu reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to the ideals of the African Union and pledged his administration’s readiness to remain fully engaged in the activities the continental body.
He stated that Zambia will seek to enhance her presence at the continental level and beyond, by making her voice heard and actively participating in the programmes of the Union.
On the subject of AU Agenda 2063, President Lungu said Zambia firmly believes that this is an important blueprint for the future of the continent and should be fully supported, as a vehicle for Africa’s development.
He said there is need to ensure that the spirit and resolve contained in the document is fully incorporated into the Post 2015 Development Agenda process and other global developmental efforts.
Mr Lungu stated that as a continent, Africa should prioritise her strategic economic partnerships in order to ensure that they speak to the African Agenda and that the continent’s interests are safeguarded.
The Head of State reassured the AU Assembly that Zambia will be more actively engaged in peace-building and conflict-resolution initiatives on the continent, and particularly within SADC and the Great Lakes region.
He further called for collaborated efforts to combat the Ebola pandemic, which he described as a serious emerging threat to global social and economic security.
President Lungu also condemned the increasing occurrences of ruthless attacks and violent tendencies of terrorist groups as well as the militarisation of extreme faith-based organisations in some parts of Africa and called for urgent concerted effort to deal with the problem.
Regarding the reform of the United Nations, the President reassured the AU Assembly that Zambia will, through her membership of the AU Committee of Ten, continue to play her part in ensuring that the process is accelerated.
Mr Lungu said to this effect, Zambia will be hosting the next meeting of the Committee of 10.
President stated that Zambia supports the AU theme for 2015 as a measure of long-standing commitment to the importance of women to development and their role in leadership.