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Zambia has called for the alignment of efforts to mitigate the irregular migratory crisis with the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063’s focus on transformative outcomes.
Home Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Jack Mwiimbu, noted that the AU Agenda 2063 was part of Africa’s solution to the irregular migratory crisis.
Mwiimbu said this when he delivered a speech at the Italy-Africa Summit in Rome, Italy under the theme “A bridge for common growth.
The Minister said addressing irregular migration required inclusive, sustainable economies, as well as a peaceful and a culturally focused Africa within a larger global context.
He stated that Africa’s economic transformation agenda should be fully supported through inter alia, partnerships and investments, the consolidation of development cooperation, as well as access to affordable finance.
“Countries such as Zambia with abundant mineral resources and fertile land, could be used to create opportunities to mitigate unplanned migration through investments in mining, agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure and renewable energy,” Mwiimbu said.
The Minister further called for enhanced support from cooperating partners towards resolving regional conflicts which are drivers to the migration challenge in Africa.
“This call is line with Zambia being the current Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA),” he stated.
The Minister was representing President Hakainde Hichilema at the Italy-Africa Summit hosted by the Italian government.
The summit aims at strengthening cooperation with African countries in areas including; economic and infrastructural collaboration, food security, energy security and transition, vocational training and culture, and migration, mobility and security issues.
Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, unveiled a proposed plan termed as “Mattei Plan”, a new dynamic plan on establishing strategic partnerships with African countries.
Meloni said the plan aimed to address among others, the root causes of irregular migration and enhanced cooperation in various areas of economic development such as the energy sector.
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