Zambia and EU Agree to Deepen Partnership at UNGA81

Zambia and the European Union have agreed to deepen their partnership through investment and economic cooperation. The two sides met on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela met Zambia's delegation, led by Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Mulambo Haimbe, who represented President Hakainde Hichilema. The Commissioner spoke positively of Zambia's democratic record and encouraged both sides to look ahead while maintaining respect for the rule of law.

The EU committed to a forward-looking partnership with Zambia and recognised the country's continued support for the UN Charter, multilateralism and the rules-based international order.

The two sides agreed to expand cooperation through investment, value addition and economic partnership aligned with the Grow Zambia Agenda. The EU said it was particularly interested in Africa's role in the value chains for electric-vehicle batteries and critical minerals. Zambia welcomed the EU's Global Gateway initiative and its development cooperation, including budget support of around EUR 110 million.

Hon. Haimbe told the meeting that the August elections had been broadly peaceful and thanked the EU for deploying an election observation mission.

They also agreed to keep working together on international peace and security.