President Hichilema calls for an orderly, peaceful world

President Hakainde Hichilema says a rules-based world is a prerequisite for peace, security and stability.

He was speaking when he received credentials from nine diplomats who are accredited to Zambia at State House today.

Those who presented their credentials are Serbia’s Ambassador to Zambia Yasna Zrnovic, Aidan Fitzpatrick of Ireland, Jiri Kyrian of Czech Republic, Eleyan Keswani of Palestine and Chad’s Apollinaire Mogombare.

Others are Belesa Teresa Orsini Pic of Venezuela, Nadeska Imara Cuthbert Carison of Nicaragua, Philip Hewitt of New Zealand and Karin Poulsen of Denmark.

Mr Mogombare will be resident in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ms Pic in Luanda, Angola, Ms Carison in Harare, Zimbabwe while Mr Hewitt and Ms Poulsen will be resident in Pretoria, South Africa.

President Hichilema asked the diplomats who are non-resident in Zambia to ask their respective governments to open missions in Lusaka.

He said Zambia’s foreign policy has largely been consistent from the time of his predecessors.

“The focus of our foreign policy is anchored on two legs.  One on peace, security and stability and another one on economic and social development.

“An orderly world is important; a world that is based on fairness and rules will lead us to a more harmonious world,” he said.

President Hichilema said the negative results of conflict, such as loss of lives and property, forced migration and disruption of trade, are felt by everyone in the world.  

“We need to do our part as a country not to export instability to our neighbours in SADC, on the continent and in the world.

“Conflict takes away resources, time and effort from our next anchor for foreign policy – economic and social development,” the President said.

President Hichilema added that it is in the interest of the global community to see developing countries develop.

“It is important that we continue cooperating for development. Therefore, investment opportunities that we present will be probably one of the high-ticket areas that we will expect from you. We expect you to drive investment opportunities here.

“Investors from your country can come exploit opportunities in our country for mutual benefit. We have opportunities in energy here; we have a growing economy,” he said.

President Hichilema also said reforms of the United Nations (UN), in particular the Security Council, should continue.

“It is incorrect that Africa, with over 1.3 billion people, has no representation at the table where decisions are made about peace, security and stability of the world. This is an anomaly. We need fairness at the global stage and we have said this over and over,” the President said.