International agreement to enhance knowledge, expertise of Zambian scientists, researchers ratified

Cabinet has approved ratification of the Centre for Science and Technology of the Non-Aligned and Other Developing Countries agreement.

Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, said this was in order for Zambian scientists and researchers to benefit from cooperation in various fields.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday, Mweetwa said the identified fields were agriculture, biotechnology, energy, environment, health, information technology and materials science.

He noted that the Centre for Science and Technology of the Non-Aligned and Other Developing Countries was an inter-governmental organisation established in 1989.

“It was established with the aim of promoting scientific and technological cooperation among the Non-Aligned and other developing countries,” the minister said.

Mweetwa added that Zambia joined the Centre for Science and Technology of the Non-Aligned and Other Developing Countries (NAM S and T Centre) in 1991.

He said the ratification of the NAM S and T Centre agreement would provide a range of benefits to the country, including access to knowledge and expertise.

“It will also include collaboration in research and development, capacity building, access to funding, and strengthening of regional and international cooperation in science and technology,” Mweetwa stated.

Meanwhile, he said that Cabinet had approved in principle the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to amend the National Archives Act, Cap. 175 of the Laws of Zambia.

The minister stated that this was in order to strengthen its administration and provide for establishment of the National Archives Advisory Council.

“The National Archives Act was enacted in 1969 to provide for the preservation, custody, control and disposal of public archives, including public records of Zambia,” Mweetwa explained.

He recalled that the National Archives Act was last reviewed in 1995, adding that amending the Act would, therefore, align it to international best practices and emergent issues.

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