FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER HON. HAIMBE ARRIVES IN NEW YORK FOR UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
New York, 20th September 2026 — Honourable Mulambo Haimbe, S.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has arrived in New York, United States of America, to participate in the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81).
The Honourable Minister is representing Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia. Other members of the delegation include Minister of Health, Professor Roma Chilengi, M.P., and senior government officials.
The session, held under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All” commencing on 22nd to 28th September 2026, gives Zambia an opportunity to reaffirm its longstanding commitment to peace, democracy and stability following the recent General Elections.
Central to Zambia’s engagement is the advancement of the Grow Zambia Agenda, with outcomes that include mobilising technical assistance, development finance and strategic investment, aligning UN programmes more closely with national priorities, obtaining support for a National Architecture for Peace, establishing diplomatic relations, and strengthening Zambia’s influence, including its candidature for election to the Human Rights Council (HRC).
The Minister will reaffirm Zambia’s unwavering commitment to constitutionalism, the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and the protection of human rights, and will underscore Zambia’s candidature to the HRC for the term 2027 to 2029 as a reflection of these values and the country’s commitment to peace, democracy and stability.
Hon. Haimbe will deliver Zambia’s National Statement on behalf of the Head of State during the High-Level General Debate on 28th September 2026.
The delegation’s meetings combines national representation, and diplomacy through participation in the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) where Zambia is deputy chair, the Group of 77 and China, bilateral meetings with several countries and other partners, while advancing priorities on the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact (GDC), the Seville Commitment, among other high-level engagements. The Pact for the Future revitalises multilateralism and accelerates the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), its annexed Global Digital Compact advances inclusive digital cooperation, and the Seville Commitment adopted in 2025 addresses SDG financing gaps and international financial reform.
These engagements will focus on strengthening partnerships, promoting investment opportunities in Zambia, and advancing the country’s strategic priorities within the multilateral system.
Issued by:
Namatama Njekwa
First Secretary Press and Public Relations
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations