Lusaka, Zambia, 23^rd February 2024 – The UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator, and Regional Director for Africa, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, is set to embark on her first visit to Zambia from 23rd to 27th February, 2024. During her visit, she will launch the newly established technology and innovation hub, Mukuba UNIPOD, a partnership between UNDP and Copperbelt University (CBU), based at the CBU Kitwe Campus.

Ms. Eziakonwa's schedule during this period will involve strategic engagements with various high-level Government Officials, including the Minister of Justice and also Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Mulambo Haimbe, MP; Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Felix C Mutati, MP; and the Minister of Youth, Sports, and Arts, Hon. Elvis Nkandu MP. Hon Mutati and Hon. Nkandu will also attend the launch of Unipod in Kitwe on February 25th, 2024.

The Regional Director, Ms. Eziakonwa, is also expected to meet with the President of the Republic of Zambia, H.E. Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, Women in Politics, and Cooperating Partners to Government of Zambia and UNDP Zambia.

Her visit comes at a time when Zambia and other countries in the region are recovering from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war, exacerbated by climate change effects which have led to economic slowdown and a global surge in fuel and food prices. For UNDP, this presents an opportunity to enhance partnerships and strengthen the country’s resilience against shocks and other recurring crises by building forward better in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Eight National Development Plan (8NDP).

For further details, contact the UNDP Zambia’s Communication Analyst, Ms. Mercy Khozi at mercy.khozi@undp.org.

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About the UNDP Regional Director

Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa serves as the UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator, and Regional Director for Africa. With a tenure beginning on August 15th, 2018, Ms. Eziakonwa leads UNDP’s efforts in supporting 46 African countries to achieve Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

About UNDP

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in some 177 countries and territories, we offer a global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

For more information and media interviews, contact:

Mercy Khozi; mercy.khozi@undp.org; +260211386200, Lusaka