Latest news with #MutaleNalumango
The Star
2 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Zambian vice president urges COMESA to strengthen regional health systems
LUSAKA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Zambian Vice President Mutale Nalumango on Thursday called for enhanced collaboration and commitment by member countries of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to advance strategies that improve access to quality healthcare for all. Speaking at the opening of the Second Meeting of COMESA Ministers of Health, Nalumango emphasized the need for regional health systems to be better prepared to respond decisively to future threats. She noted that the COVID-19 pandemic not only disrupted medical supply chains but also exposed critical gaps in emergency preparedness and the resilience of health systems across the region, urging countries to scale up local pharmaceutical manufacturing, strengthen disease surveillance and early warning systems, and ensure resilient supply chains during crises. "This moment is also a call to invest in evidence-based policymaking, grounded in research and innovation. Let us reaffirm that science and solidarity must always guide our way forward," she said. Nalumango cited the ongoing mpox outbreak and increasing climate-related health emergencies as reminders that health security is directly linked to economic security. She called on the ministers to adopt strong resolutions and renew practical commitments, adding that health is the foundation of any country's development. COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Kapwepwe echoed Nalumango's remarks, saying that health is central to the organization's regional agenda. She said COMESA has established a Health Desk to coordinate regional health initiatives, mobilize resources, and build member states' capacities to respond to current and future challenges in collaboration with technical and development partners. "Strong health systems are not optional -- they are economic enablers and require increased investment. Investing in health is not a cost; it is a strategic investment in regional stability, productivity, and prosperity," Kapwepwe said.
Zawya
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
China-Africa People-to-People Dialogue Held in Lusaka
The China-Africa People-to-People Dialogue was held from May 7 to 9, 2025, in Lusaka, Zambia. Mr. Li Jun, Vice President of the China International NGO Network for Exchanges (CNIE) and former Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Her. Honour Mutale Nalumango, Vice President of Zambia, and other senior officials attended the dialogue and delivered speeches. The event brought together over 150 participants, including H.E. Han Jing, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, and representatives from civil society organizations, universities, media houses, businesses and other sectors across China and Africa. Mr. Li Jun said that China and Africa have always been partners who stand together through thick and thin and pursue win-win cooperation. China-Africa cooperation sets a benchmark for developing countries in exploring independent paths to modernization and contributes to advancing the reform of the global governance system. Civil societies of China and Africa should seize the opportunity to strengthen strategic planning and practical alignment, enabling civil society organizations to contribute more wisdom and strength toward building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. Vice President Nalumango said that the Africa-China friendship transcends mountains and oceans and enjoys a long history. The Africa-China People-to-People Dialogue is of great significance, providing a platform for mutual learning, exchanges and cooperation among civil society organizations from the two sides. It is hoped that Africa and China would further strengthen collaboration in various fields such as education, science, technology and artificial intelligence, and fully leverage the crucial role of people-to-people friendship in driving state-to-state relations. The China-Africa People-to-People Dialogue was organized by the African Union's Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC). Representatives from China and Africa exchanged views on strengthening civil society partnership, establishing cooperation platforms and promoting people-to-people bonds. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Zambia.
Trade Arabia
19-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
South-South tourism cooperation advances at 2nd UN Summit
UN Tourism has advanced South-South cooperation in tourism development, putting into action the aims of the Punta Cana Declaration signed by its Member States from Africa and the Americas. Building on the success of the inaugural event, the 2nd UN Tourism Africa & The Americas Summit outlined concrete plans for achieving shared goals, focused on innovation, Technical Cooperation, enhanced connectivity, tourism investments and tourist confidence through security. According to UN Tourism's data, both regions have bounced back from the impacts of the pandemic: in 2024, Africa welcomed 74 million international arrivals, 7% more than in 2019, and 12% more than in 2023. The Americas, meanwhile, welcomed 213 million, or around 97% of pre-pandemic arrivals. The Summit made clear the strong links between the two regions, both in terms of visitors between and within regions, as well as investment source markets and recipients. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: 'This Summit is proof of the enduring commitment of Africa and the Americas to cooperate across borders and oceans. Our roadmap will advance inclusive growth and ensure that tourism remains a driver of shared prosperity. Above all, by focusing on training and skill-building, we're giving people, especially youth, the means to succeed in today's competitive world.' The Vice President of the Republic of Zambia, Mutale Nalumango, stressed the importance of 'shared connectivity' and cooperation in the face of shared challenges. In remarks delivered by Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba, she said: 'The diversity of experiences and perspectives here today represents a treasure of knowledge which, if collectively harnessed, will enhance our capacity to advance the resilient tourism sector we envision.' SOUTH-SOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH INVESTMENTS Growing and directing investment into tourism is one of the key pillars of the Punta Cana Declaration. In Zambia, UN Tourism shared its achievements in this priority area. To date, 18 editions of the 'Tourism Doing Business Guidelines' for investment have been published for destinations across Africa and the Americas. A further 10 are in development. The Guidelines highlight the enormous potential for tourism investment within and between the regions. Between 2019 and 2024, Africa invested around $3.9 in 36 projects in the Americas, while Latin America and the Caribbean invested the same amount in 34 projects in Africa. With the aim of raising these levels, UN Tourism announced plans to organise a Biennial Africa-Americas Tourism Investment Conference. The Conference will bring together governments, financial institutions, private sector actors and development partners with the aim of boosting cross-continental investment flows and target investment around shared priorities. A SHARED FUTURE: GROWTH THROUGH EDUCATION With over 50% of the tourism workforce under 25, the sector offers vast opportunities for young people, particularly in Africa – the world's youngest continent – and the Americas. To put the education-focused aims of the Punta Cana Declaration into action, UN Tourism is advancing training in both regions. In Zambia, delegates were brought up-to-date with work in the Dominican Republic, where a collaboration with MIREX will provide training on diplomacy and tourism, to be launched this year. Also at the Summit, delegates were given an update on the status of the planned Academy in collaboration with UN Tourism in Livingstone. The Academy will serve as a hub for specialist education and join UN Tourism's growing network of education centres. These include the International Academy for the Culinary Arts in Zimbabwe and a planned centre in the Dominica Republic, in collaboration with INFOTEP. Moving forward, UN Tourism will also aim to reach around 2,000 beneficiaries in both Africa and the Americas through its new WhatsApp courses for professional development. INNOVATION TO SHAPE FUTURE OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN TOURISM Hand-in-hand with education, the Punta Cana Declaration places innovation at the centre of South-South cooperation for tourism development. In Livingstone, UN Tourism announced the pending launch of a first Start-Up Competition for the regions. The 'Bridges of Innovation' challenge will seek out enterprises ready to address challenges in the areas of sustainability, inclusivity and digital transformation, with a focus on local communities. Investment will also serve as the main aim of the first UN Tourism Thematic Office in Morocco. The Office will serve as a hub for innovation, with acceleration programmes for regional start-ups, research and development and for celebrating new talent through Tourism Tech Adventures. ENHANCED CONNECTIVITY AND TOURIST SAFETY The Punta Cana Declaration aims to address challenges hindering tourism growth through limited air connectivity. In Guatemala, UN Tourism has partnered with INGUAT to begin a joint Work Plan aimed at linking industry players to boost links. Alongside this, a planned 2nd Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa will be held in Angola in July, with a focus on AI and innovation for connectivity.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Zambians protest over heinous child rape reports
Warning: This story contains distressing details. A protest march has been held in Zambia's capital, Lusaka, against a recent spate of reports of men raping children. Over the last two months, Zambians have been shocked by several cases of child rape, some of which resulted in death. Among the most horrific reports was that of a father allegedly raping his seven-year-old daughter while she was admitted to hospital for cancer treatment. There have also been reports of a five-year-old allegedly being raped by a gang of four men, while another father was jailed for raping and infecting his six-year-old with genital warts, a sexually transmitted infection. Zambia's Justice Minister Princess Kasune-Zulu has called for the castration of child rapists as an extreme measure to deter perpetrators and protect children from abuse. "How low can we go as a nation? How low can we go as a society? What is happening is sickening. It is beyond laws now - it is up to us as Zambians to interrogate why our morals have decayed," she recently told parliament. Following the reports, civil society organisations, musicians, and individuals held a protest march on Thursday, calling for the government to amend the law to introduce tougher punishments for child rapists. In a petition handed to Vice-President Mutale Nalumango, they demanded the law be changed so that those accused of child rape are not granted bail. In response, Nalumango said the issue concerns everyone and that Zambians must take a stand. A musician who took part in the protest march told the BBC that "we need to created a safe environment for our children". Daputsa Nkhata-Zulu, also known as Sista D, added that child rapists should be castrated "for the safety of children and also to deprive them of the pride of manhood because they don't deserve it." In just the last three months of 2024, Zambia recorded more than 10,000 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) involving children, according to the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation. These were mostly in the capital, Lusaka. More than 32,000 people received counselling for GBV last year, according to the Zambia Police 2024 annual GBV data analysis. One-year-olds among those raped during Sudan civil war, UN says Sierra Leone sexual violence: What difference did the national emergency make? Kenya femicide: Why men fail to condemn deadly misogyny Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
03-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Zambians protest in Lusaka over spate of child rape reports
Warning: This story contains distressing details.A protest march has been held in Zambia's capital, Lusaka, against a recent spate of reports of men raping the last two months, Zambians have been shocked by several cases of child rape, some of which resulted in the most horrific reports was that of a father allegedly raping his seven-year-old daughter while she was admitted to hospital for cancer have also been reports of a five-year-old allegedly being raped by a gang of four men, while another father was jailed for raping and infecting his six-year-old with genital warts, a sexually transmitted infection. Zambia's Justice Minister Princess Kasune-Zulu has called for the castration of child rapists as an extreme measure to deter perpetrators and protect children from abuse."How low can we go as a nation? How low can we go as a society? What is happening is sickening. It is beyond laws now - it is up to us as Zambians to interrogate why our morals have decayed," she recently told the reports, civil society organisations, musicians, and individuals held a protest march on Thursday, calling for the government to amend the law to introduce tougher punishments for child a petition handed to Vice-President Mutale Nalumango, they demanded the law be changed so that those accused of child rape are not granted response, Nalumango said the issue concerns everyone and that Zambians must take a stand. A musician who took part in the protest march told the BBC that "we need to created a safe environment for our children".Daputsa Nkhata-Zulu, also known as Sista D, added that child rapists should be castrated "for the safety of children and also to deprive them of the pride of manhood because they don't deserve it."In just the last three months of 2024, Zambia recorded more than 10,000 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) involving children, according to the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation. These were mostly in the capital, than 32,000 people received counselling for GBV last year, according to the Zambia Police 2024 annual GBV data analysis. You may also be interested in: One-year-olds among those raped during Sudan civil war, UN saysSierra Leone sexual violence: What difference did the national emergency make?Kenya femicide: Why men fail to condemn deadly misogyny Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
