By NATION REPORTER
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema yesterday left for London, United Kingdom, to attend the coronation of their majesties King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla at Westminster Abbey tomorrow.
President Hichilema is be accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs. Mutinta Hichilema.
Foreign Affairs Minister Stanely Kakubo announced in a statement yesterday that President Hichilema would be in London, then travel to Paris in France before travelling to Scotland.
Mr Kakubo said prior to the coronation, President Hichilema would today participate in an exclusive pre-coronation Summit of Commonwealth Heads of State and Government with King Charles III, as the new Head of the Commonwealth.
He said the event, convened by the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary General, would provide a timely opportunity for the Commonwealth leaders to collectively deliberate and reflect on the shared future of the organisation.
Mr Kakubo said President Hichilema is expected to hold bilateral meetings with other world leaders, providing valuable avenues for increased cooperation with international partners.
He said on May 9th, 2023, President Hichilema is scheduled to travel to Paris for a key bilateral meeting with President Emmanuel Macron, as France, together with China, is Co-Chair of the Official Creditors’ Committee.
He stated that the meeting between President Hichilema and President Macron was a crucial undertaking for the head of State’s continued efforts to accelerate Zambia’s debt restructuring process, necessary to unlock significant foreign investment pledges into the country’s economy.
“President Hichilema will also travel to Scotland where he will hold a bilateral meeting with Mr. Humza Yousaf, the First Minister of Scotland, aimed at strengthening ties for enhanced social and economic development cooperation. While in Scotland, the President will give a keynote address at Edinburgh’s prestigious Panmure House (once the home of the father of modern economics, Adam Smith) to share his expertise in driving sustainable economic development in Zambia and the region,” Mr Kakubo said.
Mr Kakubo stated that President Hichilema will return to attend a Zambia Investment Forum organised by Invest Africa, in collaboration with the Zambia Development Agency.
President Hichilema will return to Zambia on May 12, 2023, after concluding his engagements.
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