By Amos Sikaonga 
By Cecilia Chiluba
Ministry of Green Economy has acknowledged Zambia’s progress in climate policies, such as the Green Economy and Climate Change Act of 2024 and the National Adaptation Plan.
Speaking during the official opening of the People in Need SB62 and COP30 Capacity Building and Technical Workshop in Lusaka, Permanent Secretary Dr. Douty Chibamba also underscored the importance of collaborative efforts to ensure the country’s effective participation in international climate dialogues.
He urged stakeholders to define Zambia’s priorities for COP30, scheduled to take place in Belém, Brazil, from 10 to 21 November 2025.
“The country has since started preparations for COP30 and you are all encouraged to participate through the various platforms and umbrella organizations.”
“In terms of participation of private sector and civil society organizations, we as a Ministry and as a Government in general, we wish to engage with the private sector organizations and civil society organizations in the implementation of these frameworks,” Dr. Chibamba stated.
Dr Chibamba, who was represented by Ministry’s Chief Green Economy Officer Hedges Tembo, emphasized key outcomes from COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, which included an agreement to triple annual climate finance to US$300 billion by 2035 and operationalizing carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
He highlighted the importance of the workshop as a preparatory platform for private sector and civil society organizations ahead of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body meetings in Bonn, Germany, in June this year.
Dr Chibamba also commended organizations like ActionAid and FIAN International for their support and urged stakeholders to contribute actively to Zambia’s sustainable development and resilience-building initiatives.
And People in Need Network (PIN) Zambia Head of Programmes Rajesh Rai highlighted PIN’s commitment to addressing humanitarian crises caused by conflicts, natural disasters, and pandemics through preparedness, rapid response, and recovery.
Mr. Rai elaborated on the Organization’s climate resilience initiatives, which integrate adaptation and mitigation strategies aligned with green growth interventions and circular economy principles.
He underscored the importance of equipping civil society with tools and strategies to actively participate in climate negotiations and implement impactful solutions.
Meanwhile, Zambia Climate Change Network (ZCCN) Board Chairperson Maggie Mapalo Mwape called for a united voice as Zambia prepares for climate action talks at the international level.
She described the workshop as a crucial step in building an inclusive and resilient Zambia in response to the climate crisis.
Ms. Mwape thanked People in Need (PIN) for co-hosting the event and expressed gratitude to longstanding partners such as ActionAid, CARE Zambia, WWF, COMESA, and UNDP for their support.
“Zambia is not merely a victim of climate change but also a source of solutions, pointing to community-led reforestation and indigenous climate-smart agriculture,” She emphasized.
She urged participants to deliberate and contribute to a position paper that would amplify Zambia’s voice at the international level.
Cecilia Chiluba 
Joseph Tembo