By 
President Hakainde Hichilema will undertake a two days state visit to Rwanda at the invitation of that country’s leader, Paul Kagame.
The President will leave for Rwanda on Wednesday, June 21 and depart on Thursday, June, 2023 for France.
Hichilema will be in Paris, France to participate at the summit for a New Financing Pact, which will be hosted by Emmanuel Macron, President of France from June 22 to June 23, 2023.
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Stanely Kakubo, announced this in a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday.
Kakubo said the visit to Rwanda comes in response to an invitation from President Kagame, and aims to reinforce bilateral relations between Zambia and Rwanda, while fostering partnerships for development and cooperation.
He said it serves as a reciprocal gesture following President Kagame’s state visit to Zambia in April 2022, highlighting the enduring strategic partnership anchored on shared values and mutual respect.
“Among the engagements lined up is the President’s participation in the inclusive FinTech Forum, whilst in Kigali, where President Hichilema and President Kagame will deliver keynote speeches,” Kakubo said.
He said the forum will provide a platform to promote an “all Africa” approach, centering on the creation of harmonised and unified policies, by building bridges, encouraging the movement of skills and services across borders, and facilitating the seamless integration of African economies.
He said President Hichilema, in his capacity as the new Chairman of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), will discuss priorities and initiatives he wishes to advance within the organisation.
“On Thursday, June 23, 2023, President Hichilema is scheduled to participate at the Summit for a New Financing Pact in Paris, which has been convened to consider viable financing mechanisms that will guarantee developing countries access to international markets and concessional financing,” Kakubo said.
He said the Summit will provide an opportunity to address key issues such as the reform of multilateral development banks, sovereign debt matters, innovative financing, international taxes and special drawing rights.
Kakubo said on the margins of the Summit, President Hichilema, alongside the Heads of State of Brazil, Barbados, and Egypt, will participate in the High Level Segment on “Climate and Poverty”, where he will be expected to deliver a statement.
“The President is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings on matters of mutual interest. President Hichilema is expected to return to Zambia immediately after his engagements,” he said.
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