President Hichilema Recognised With Prestigious UN Award

President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia has been recognised with the prestigious VIP Global Water Changemaker Award at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The award was presented during the UN 2023 Water Conference on March 22 to 24, 2023. Dr Chola Milambo, Zambia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, accepted the award on behalf of President Hichilema.

The president was honoured alongside President Hussein Ali Mwinyi of Zanzibar for being the first two African countries to develop and launch their country water investment programs.

President Hichilema launched the Zambia Water Investment Programme (ZIP) 2020-2030 in July of the previous year.

The Water Changemakers challenge has two categories, including the VIP Global Changemaker Award for political commitment and leadership in water investment, which was awarded to President Hichilema.

 The other category, the Global Innovation Challenge Award, was presented to the most promising climate resilient innovations with potential for scale, replication, and further investment to support a water-secure world.

The Global Water Partnerships, K-water, and the World Bank Group initiated the Water Changemaker event.

At the same event, awards were also presented to other distinguished leaders, including the co-chairs of the International High-Level Panel on Water Investment for Africa.

Photo: New York Times