Republican Vice president, Madam Mutale Nalumango,, has called for practical and actionable solutions to reduce poverty.
Speaking when she officially opened the Regional Conference on Poverty Reduction and Climate Resilience in Southern and Eastern Africa, this morning, the Vice President said achieving resilience to the damaging effects of climate change is essential, as climate-related disasters feature prominently as determinants of poverty dynamics.
She urged conference stakeholders “not to come up with resolutions, but solutions”, that will provide tangible and not theoretic solutions to tackling poverty.
She acknowledged that Zambia like many other African countries is endowed with various natural resources, enough to change the poverty and climate change narrative.
She said with poverty still high with 60 percent of the population living on less than two dollars a day, government is committed to improving the wellbeing of the people through prioritization of social protection programmes on the national development agenda as a strategy for reducing poverty and vulnerabilities.
Mrs Nalumango highlighted the need for inclusive and sustainable economic growth, human development, and social protection.
“To effectively tackle poverty, we need economic growth that is not only strong but also inclusive and sustainable. A growth path that ensures that both rural and urban populations build secure livelihoods, protect their assets, and invest for their future,” added the Vice President.
Speaking at the same event, Minister of Community Development and Social Services Mrs. Doreen Mwamba reiterated Zambia’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 2 which advocate for no poverty and zero hunger and the country’s National Development Plan priorities.
“These are not just development issues, they are human issues, affecting the daily lives, health, and dignity of millions of our people,” She added.
Meanwhile, British High Commissioner to Zambia, Ms Rebecca Terzeon explained that with temperatures in Zambia rapidly changing above global average resulting in weakened and reduced resilience and household incomes through floods and droughts, there is need to enhance the conversation on how to effectively manage the environment to withstand the impacts of climate change.
She commended government for the various interventions aimed at enhancing social protection, nutrition and reducing stunting in children from the current 30 to 15 percent.
The three day conference has brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss strategies for reducing poverty and building climate resilience in the region.
It aims to provide a platform for sharing knowledge, deepening partnerships, and reaffirming collective commitment to reducing poverty and building climate resilience.
