Haimbe to Represent President Hichilema at UNGA81

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Mulambo Haimbe, S.C., M.P., will represent President Hakainde Hichilema at the High-Level Week of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, held from 22 to 28 September 2026 at UN Headquarters in New York.

Haimbe will deliver Zambia's National Statement on the President's behalf during the High-Level General Debate. This year's session convenes under the theme "Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All".

The Ministry said Zambia's participation would be anchored on advancing national development priorities and foreign policy objectives through strengthened partnerships and resource mobilisation, with engagement centred on support for the Grow Zambia Agenda.

The delegation is expected to sign Memoranda of Understanding establishing diplomatic relations with five countries, expanding Zambia's diplomatic footprint. It will also host a high-level engagement to build support for Zambia's candidature to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the period 2027–2029.

Zambia will co-host high-level side events on the Pact for the Future, covering sustainable development, climate action, development financing, digital transformation and reform of the multilateral system. The delegation will separately engage the UN System on support towards establishing a National Architecture for Peace, and meet the Commonwealth on democracy and governance, trade and investment, youth empowerment and climate resilience.

The Ministry said the session offered an opportunity to reaffirm Zambia's commitment to peace, democracy and stability following the recently concluded General Elections, and to seek technical assistance, development financing and investment for economic diversification and job creation.