Friday, March 29, 2024

President Edgar Lungu Address to the UN

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Mr. President,
Excellences, Heads of States
Honourable Ministers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Mr. President, allow me to join other dignitaries in congratulating you for convening this landmark nations nations summit on the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda.

I wish on behalf of the people of Zambia to applaud the secretary general of the nations nations, for his unwavering commitment to nurturing consensus of member states on sustainable development goals (SDGS).

I would also like to express gratitude to the co-facilitators for their distinguished leadership during the process. We further applaud member states and observers for the tireless efforts and constructive engagement that culminated in bringing this momentous task to fruition.

Mr. President,

This summit will go in the annals of history as the world is witnessing the end of the millennium development goals whilst ushering in the sustainable development goals and the post 2015 development agenda.

Zambia wishes to re-affirm its commitment to embracing a common development agenda which will help enhance development partnerships among member states.

Zambia acknowledges and appreciates the input from important developmental processes that have contributed to the success of this new development agenda notable among them are:

The third international conference on financing for development; and, The high level political forum on sustainable development.

The multi-dimensional nature of this process signifies our determination to have a global development agenda that is responsive to the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of the world to provide for the needs of the future generations.

To this effect, Zambia looks forward to starting a new development era in 2016 within the spirit of “leaving no-one behind” with renewed vigour and focus. On this point, I thank the assembly for yesterday’s adoption of the groundbreaking resolution AA70/l.1.

Let me thank his holiness, Pope Francis for his candid and inspiring remarks on the need for nations to take seriously the question of climate change and protection of the environment for sustainable development.

I am happy to report that in the 7th National Development Plan we are developing, climate change ranks among our top priorities.

Mr. President,

I am glad to report that at country level, a number of consultations were undertaken with various stakeholders with a view to put into context the fundamental provisions agreed upon by member states. Coincidentally for Zambia, the SDGS and the post 2015 development agenda have come at a time when the country is developing its seventh national development plan.

This gives us greater latitude to effectively domesticate the various provisions of these global initiatives. We are glad to note that SDGS have brought out a number of development issues such as maternal health, poverty, gender equality, water and sanitation, land degradation, climate change, among others that Zambia is determined to confront in the post 2015 era.

I wish to reiterate Zambia’s commitment to ensuring the use of evidence-based priority setting and targeted mechanisms with a view to achieve inclusive socio-economic development.

Mr. President,

Zambia being a least developed and landlocked developing country, will require support in completing the unfinished business of the MDGS, especially in the area of education, health, water and sanitation, gender equality, agriculture and science and technology.

With regard to technology, Zambia underscores the need to forge south-south technology transfer cooperation as an essential component to accelerate the implementation of the SDGS and the post 2015 development agenda.

I wish to reiterate what I said at the high level meeting on the follow-up to the second nations nations conference on land-locked developing countries held in Zambia in june this year, that there will be need for the nations nations office for south-south cooperation to fulfill its pledge and commitment to establish centres in these countries for purposes of technology transfer.

Being a pilot country, Zambia is ready to fully participate in this initiative. We are also committed to institute strategies that will promote environmentally sustainable socio-economic development aimed at proactively addressing employment creation opportunities, particularly, for the youth and women in order to reduce poverty.

Mr. President,

My government recognises the importance of mobilising resources both domestically and internationally for development.

For this reason, the official development assistance and the foreign direct investment continues to play an important role in fostering sustainable development.

I therefore, call upon the developed countries to fulfil their pledges. As the developed countries honour their pledges, it is critical that developing countries put in place comprehensive institutional frameworks that will identify, promote and facilitate partnerships aimed at creating a platform for a shared vision that resonates well with the private sector to bring about a win-win situation between investors and the communities.

Let me take this opportunity to stress that sustainable development pre-supposes the existence of peace. In this regard Zambia has been actively engaged in peace-keeping missions particularly in the Central African Republic (CAR) and in Sudan. We are seeking the support of developed countries to help capacity-building of our troops so that they are better equipped to carry out such noble assignments.
In the same vein, Zambia sees counter-terrorism initiatives as critically important in preserving peace and stability. In collaboration with regional and international partners, Zambia remains committed to ensuring that we curb this scourge.

Mr. President,

In conclusion, Zambia pledges to give primacy to SDG implementation as a means to stimulate its development trajectory that takes into account all the three pillars of sustainable development.

I also call upon the UN to initiate follow-up actions and review processes as to promote cross-pollination of ideas and exchange of best practices. This will help attain higher global outcomes on SDGS and the post 2015 development agenda.

I am confident on behalf of the people of Zambia that this summit provides us an opportunity to emerge stronger and more focused to attaining the post 2015 development agenda.

I thank you.

47 COMMENTS

  1. what has ecl done to show the world leaders that pf means well,he has failed socially and economically.his speech does not inspire investor confidence as the opposite is true.this is my opinion.

    • wow, wow, wow! interestng,,,, address the United Nation!! Mr President, was Changwa refering to the Pope or the president of United Nation??

    • Exceptionally said to the pride of mother Zambia. This is what education and intellect of a statesman can do. Thanks our beloved President ECL.

    • Edgar was speaking to a largely empty room. Just see the empty chairs. People walked out as there was no interpreter for is rumblings. Anyway fact is , at the UN , very few care to listen to a leader of an impoverished country with no vision. If Zambia was on the correct trajectory, people would have sat in and listened as they do to Ian Khama and Paul Kagame

    • @Ndobo, you commented ahead of contemplation. WHICH president is he referring to? I can’t understand why he was so TIRED, or there were no people in the hall?

    • Come back home and address the kwacha issue. Liquidity in the enonomy is too low. Please stop addressing inflation through OMO mechanism, you are pushing people into poverty.

    • Why didn’t Edgar just read speech which Sata never read last year, because he was been attend to by doctors in his hotel room?

    • @Zambia He should told them that as well as the $192 million they have hidden for elections or self consumption. No wonder the kwacha is weaking

  2. Not an inspiring leader. Why does he keep on referring to Mr. President? Which President is referring to? He is address the world not one particular leader. 2016 you need to be retired

    • You are so dull! You are the people that are always condemning not knowing how the UN is structured or anything else, the only good thing for you is HH or rather Tonga party. The UN has a president and Secretary General is the executive officer. Please educate yourself before embarrassing yourself next time UPND cader!

    • Ba Unwise Commentator – Please realize that when you address a meeting, there is a Chair of that meeting. You address the meeting through the Chair (in this case the President of the general assembly – if you are not too young – our own Paul Lusaka chaired at one time for your information). When he was always saying “Mr. Speaker” during the address to Parliament, was he addressing the Speaker?

    • @Wise Commentator,
      You are swimming in protruding ignorance with respect to speeches on the UN platform. Kindly research before to humiliate yourself.

    • @Advisor or Senior Citizen. If you have nothing to defend your lazy president about then do not speak. The fact is he is address world leaders!! not the chair/president alone. The repeated reference of the chair/president was too much – it shows inexperience. Other leaders only do it at the beginning of the speech and that is it. I advise both of you to focus on giving him advice on solving our economic issues than his speech, which do not even contain practical and true facts

  3. What climate change is he giving a fuss about when we all know that climate changes with or without human intervention. Can someone here show me concrete proof that this climate change is as a result of human activity?

  4. very useless comments coming from mentally corrupted regional cadres. Only Hatred, Jealous and bitterness. Atasee ubupuba!!!

  5. He is referring to the President of UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (UNGA) The current officeholder is Mogens Lykketoft of Denmark. He presides over the sessions of the UNGA. The Secretary general is the administrator of the organisation. Okay guys. Otherwise nice speech by ECL president of Zambia

    • @Kamuzu get serious and tell me something new. Otherwise keep your praises of an incompetent president to yourself. As long as Lungu does not address my country’s economic challenges and continues to inflict suffering on my people, I will never support any speech or any thing he says. I want more action than words. Period. Let him begin to fix the economy and govern with the people’s interest at heart. ALSO LET HIM NOT BLAME PERSON A OR B OR CHINA, YES WE KNOW ALL ABOUT THAT BUT A TRUE LEADER SHOULD BE BRAVE ENOUGH TO TAKE ON ANY FORM OF CHALLENGES

    • @Wise commentator: I was referring when you were in doubt of which President is he addressing? The fact of the matter is HECL addressed the UNGA with confidence though was for the first time with facts affecting his people. Don’t just urge show fact case and reasonability in you

    • @Kamuzu You what I want to support Lungu and understand that it is his first time but this not a learn position like a university student. Further, Lungu and his proven failures (PF) have damaged our country. i would rather he sent his cheof advisor RB who has experience to do the specech onhis behalf or even KKand he remains home until things are sorted out. He should not even be travelling.

  6. I would rather watch President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria…at least he brings issues that require tangible solutions from stake holders NOT this utterly lazy bum Edgar wasting taxpayers money talking about issues he barely understands.

  7. Started off very nervously. But became steady and confident as he went along. The emphasis on some words sounds like Kenneth Kaunda at his vibrancy.

  8. After reading through the comments of bloggers I can say that the negative comments are coming from people who are less informed on governance and leadership . It doesn’t pain to offer a positive opinion . Zambians by now should be above selfishness and hate. This will encourage a conducive political environment where an leader will be viewed as an option . The president has presented a well informing speech contraly to what critics say.

    • Let him be writing speeches and sending them to you. You can spend your time reading empty promises and words. ZAMBIA NEEDS PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS AND ACTION FROM THEIR LEADER NOT SPEECHES.

  9. To create attention at the UN, do not glow in the diplomatic non-committal language. Everyone who goes there has speechwriter behaving in group think fashion; just the usual cut-and-paste. Next time, tell the world which countries have supported Zambia’s development agenda and by how much. Also state exactly how much your own government has pumped into the SDG cause past fifteen years and your own commitments as a country to support the SDGs. This is original and everyone will listen

  10. As long as Lungu does not address my country’s economic challenges and continues to inflict suffering on my people, I will never support any speech or any thing he says. I want more action than words. Period. Let him begin to fix the economy and govern with the people’s interest at heart. ALSO LET HIM NOT BLAME PERSON A OR B OR CHINA, YES WE KNOW ALL ABOUT THAT BUT A TRUE LEADER SHOULD BE BRAVE ENOUGH TO TAKE ON ANY FORM OF CHALLENGES. MOST IMPORTANTLY DOES NOT BLAME ANYONE BUT FINDS SOLUTIONS

  11. ONE LAST THING TO ALL THE SUPPORTERS OF THE PROVEN FAILURES (PF). I LOVE MY COUNTRY AND ANYONE WHO PRESIDES ITS GOVERNANCE AND WATCHES IT FALL TO ITS KNEES I WILL NOT SUPPORT EVEN HH. IF I WAS LUNGU I WOULD NOT EVEN ATTEND THE UN SESSION OR LEAVE ZAMBIA UNTIL WE FINDS SHORT, MEDIUM, AND LONG SOLUTIONS TO OUR ECONOMIC CRISIS REGARDLESS OF WHO CAUSED IT. I WOULD EVEN REDUCE OR GIVE UP MY SALARY.

    • @Wise commentator: If He ECL did not attend your mouth piece was going to celebrate that he has failed to attend and, make NEWS out of it, probably because he is scared of people like BO, Putin, JZ, etc. The man had to represent us so that it should not be like the past years. BRAVO MR PRESIDENT.

    • No comment response to such (Scared of Putin etc) – how old are you? You might be a foreigner or someone that has lived in dispora for a longtime. If you are Zambian and truly Zambian. I am disappointed our country has people like you. YOU DO NOT LOVE OUR COUNTRY. THIS PRESIDENT OF URS CHATTER A $300,000 PLANE TO ATTEND THIS SESSION. NOW, HOW DO GO REPRESENT PEOPLE YOU ARE INFLICTING SUFFERING ON – DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY LIVES THIS MONEY WOULD HAVE SAVE AT UTH OR PEOPLE IT WOULD FED OR FARMING INPUTS IT WOULD BOUGHT FOR FARMERS? THE TRUTH IS HE WENT TO ENJOY HIMSELF IN THE NAME OF GIVING A SPEECH THAT HE BARELY UNDERSTANDS. I WISH THEY COULD ASK HIM QUESTIONS ON THE SPEECH CONTENTS, I LOVE TO SEE HIS RESPONSES FROM HIS OWN THINKING

  12. @dull commentators you want ecl to talk about short medium and long-term economic growth plan . why are you so dull to read his speech because all those plans were discussed in detail in his speech to the parliamentarians. You can’t comment with wisdom when your mind is saturated with bitterness and hate. Let people who are neutral to be called wise commentators .

    • @Politics of insults I think change that name to politics of a nuisance or maybe politics of stupidity. Explain how a creating new ministries at time when government should be cutting cost is an economic growth plan? I do not hate Lungu or bitter about his presidency. What I do hate is things like: chattering a plane for $300,000 to give a speech when your economy is a very bad state and your people are suffering, hiding $192 million for your own people, violating human rights, causing unnecessary by elections etc. If Lungu did the right things or even attempted to do the correct thing like opposing the building of presidential houses. That I support but that is one in a million things he needs to correct. LET HIM DO THE CORRECT THINGS AND I WILL BE THE FIRST TO SUPPORT HIM WITH MY WISE…

  13. HH’ S POLITICS OF HATE HAS SPOILT MANY ZAMBIANS, THEY CANT ACKNOWLEDGE EVEN THE SLIGHTEST POSITIVE GOOD. THAT WHY THAT D@G HH WILL NEVER RULE.

  14. I read Obama’s speech in the same chamber. He started with ” Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General, fellow delegates, ladies and gentleman…” So on that account it’s almost the same with ka Lungu. The big difference is that Obama’s speech is peppered with applause interruptions. If it were permissible and those guys decided to act on impulse, I think they would have pelted ka Lungu with eggs and tomatoes right there at the podium. But I’m sure the UN general assembly is a bunch of polite company. They would not act upon their impulse.
    lol

  15. What is our president planning about this – because most the youths are not employed in zambia! Please do something seniors of this nation zambia. Godbless you.

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