Zambia committed to peace-keeping  – ambassador

Sat, 08 Jul 2017 13:26:33 +0000

By SANDRA MACHIMA

 ZAMBIA has reaffirmed her commitment to the United Nations peace-keeping mission in its continued participation in conflict prevention and resolution, according to the Permanent representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Lazarous Kapambwe.

Ambassador Kapambwe said he was looking forward to enhancing the country’s diplomatic relations with the UN by working closely with the office of the Secretary General. He said the mission would also champion the escalation of the Kampala Convention on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to the attention of the global body.

The Kampala Convention is the world’s first continental instrument that legally binds governments to protect the rights and well-being of people forced to flee their homes by conflict, violence, disasters and human rights abuses.

Ambassador Kapambwe said it was the desire of President Edgar Lungu that Zambia should continue participating in the prevention and resolution of conflicts in Africa and across the globe.

According to first secretary to the Press at the UN Mission, Wallen Simwaka, Ambassador Kapambwe was speaking when he presented his credentials to UN Secretary General (UN) António Guterres at the UN Headquarters in New York.

The Ambassador said Zambia was a member of the C10 and would continue calling for the reform of the UN Security Council and to have an African country get a permanent seat in the Security Council.

“It is the wish of Zambia that the Kampala Convention on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) should be escalated to attract the attention of the UN, and I want to affirm that Zambia will be available in any peace negotiations and conflict resolution,” he said.

And United Nations Secretary General António Guterres has commended Zambia for remaining a key partner to the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mr Guterres said Zambia had a lot of knowledge and competence in peace and democracy and that the UN would want the country to remain a key partner for the development of diplomatic relations.

He said Zambia’s commitment to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) had remained unchanged.

“Zambia has a vibrant civil society and the UN and Zambia are friends and we shall do whatever we can to deepen our cooperation,” he said.