UN SELECTS ZAMBIA FOR CRITICAL MINERALS INITIATIVE

Zambia has been selected among six countries to participate in the United Nations Country Support Mechanism on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, an initiative aimed at helping resource-rich countries move up the global value chain.

The other participating countries are Guinea, Indonesia, Madagascar, Nigeria and Zimbabwe. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the first partner countries during the Climate Summit 2026, held on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

The mechanism is part of the UN Task Force on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, co-led by the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the United Nations Environment Programme.

The initiative seeks to ensure that mineral wealth contributes to sustainable development and enables resource-rich countries to actively participate in the global clean energy transition, rather than remaining suppliers of raw materials.

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Mulambo Haimbe, who is representing President Hakainde Hichilema at the General Assembly, has welcomed Zambia’s selection.

Mr. Haimbe says the Country Support Mechanism is an important initiative that will support the implementation of the Grow Zambia Agenda.

He says Zambia has been a copper-producing nation for decades, contributing to global industrial development and, increasingly, to the clean energy and digital transitions.

Mr. Haimbe adds that as demand for critical minerals continues to grow, Zambia’s ambition is not only to increase mineral production but also to create greater value locally through value addition and industrial development.

This is according to a statement issued by the First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations.