Zambia Elected Chair Of African Group Of Negotiators On Climate Change

Minister of Green Economy and Environment Collins Nzovu has announced that Zambia has been elected as the new Chair of the African Group of Negotiators at the on-going 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland.

Zambia will chair the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) for two years.

The AGN is a group of all 54 African countries that enables the continent to negotiate as one single bloc during climate change negotiations, such as COP26.

Mr. Nzovu was pleased with the results of the election.

The minister said the election confirms the confidence that African countries have in President Hakainde Hichilema and the New Government.

“This success has been made possible through the excellent branding of the Zambian delegation at the COP26 starting with several engagements that His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, and his two ministers undertook before leaving the few technocrats to continue with the work,” Mr. Nzovu said.

“The chairpersonship puts Zambia in the limelight in resolving the climate change crisis. It is a huge responsibility for Zambia especially that the next UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties will be on African soil in Egypt. Therefore, Zambia will be expected to steer the African Countries to highlight the continent’s priorities in the negotiations.”

He assured Zambians and the international community that the country is fit for the task and ready to take up this responsibility and will represent all African states equally.

The next COP conference in Egypt will be Zambia’s frist opportunity to preside over the African Group in negotiations.