President Hichilema Will Brief Africa's Leaders On Zambia's Readiness To Host The AU Mid-year Coordinating Summit.

President Hakainde Hichilema will attend the African Union's 35th ordinary session, which will be held in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, from February 5th to 6th, 2022.

President Hakainde Hichilema is expected to update the assembly of heads of state and government at the African Union Summit on Zambia's readiness to host the African Union mid-year coordinating summit in July 2022, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Stanley Kakubo.

Mr. Kakubo said in a statement released to the media today that the president is expected to deliver his maiden speech alongside other new heads of state and government on the continent, and that this will be President Hichilema's first time attending the annual summit since taking office in August 2021.

The African Union's ordinary session, which is normally attended by the continent's heads of state and government, will be held under the theme "building resilience in nutrition and food security on the African continent: strengthen agriculture, accelerate human capital, social and economic development."

The summit is expected to discuss, among other things, the African Union's response to the covid-19 pandemic in Africa, institutional reforms within the African Union, the implementation of the African Union Agenda 2063, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA), and African Union financial institutions.

The assembly is also expected to discuss the situation of peace and security in Africa, as well as the implementation of the African Union's master plan of practical initiatives to quiet Africa's weapons.

Mr. Kakubo stated that the administration is still dedicated to keeping the country as an active member of the African Union.

Mr. Kakubo said that president Hichilema has continued to emphasize the importance of promoting Intra African trade and collaboration for the beneficial economic and social development of the continent.