Hichilema arrives UAE for United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

President Hakainde Hichilema on Wednesday traveled to the United Arab Emirates to attend the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) meetings.

Hichilema is expected to attend the High Level Segment for Heads of State and government meetings, starting December, 1 to December, 2, 2023, according to Foriegn Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Stanely Kakubo.

Kakubo in a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, said the Head of State would travel to Dubai, United Arab Emirates on November, 29, 2023.

He stated that the event would be the 28th meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP28) to the Convention and was convened under the theme “Racing for a Better World”.

“President Hichilema will be attending the COP28 at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates,” Kakubo added.

The Head of State is scheduled to deliver a statement during the High-Level Segment on December, 1, 2023.

Hichilema is also expected to attend the World Climate Action Summit, the G77 and China Leaders’ Summit, as well as other high-level roundtable events focusing on key thematic areas.

“On the margins of the meetings, the President will hold strategic bilateral engagements centered on crucial areas such as energy, agriculture, trade, technology transfer, infrastructure, and tourism,” he stated.

Kakubo emphasized that the COP28 meeting would aim to assess progress in dealing with climate change, negotiate agreements, and set the direction to consolidate global climate action.

He noted that this resonates with Hichilema’s continued emphasis on the existential threat of climate change to humanity, stressing the pressing need for decisive action to mitigate its profound impact on economies and societies, notably within Africa.

“Zambia has not been spared of the negative effects of climate change with intermittent weather patterns significantly impacting food, water, and energy security,” Kakubo stressed.

He added that, the President would join other world leaders at COP28 to advance sustainable development, leverage new technologies, and mobilise resources for agreed actions in order to protect countries and the environment.

“The President is expected to return to Zambia on Sunday, December, 3, 2023, immediately after the High Level Segment concludes,” he said.

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