Ambassador Kapambwe Hails the United States for Strong Support to Zambia, Showcases “Zambitious”

PRESS STATEMENT

- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -

Washington D.C., Friday, 16 October 2020 — Zambia’s Ambassador to the United States H.E. Lazarous Kapambwe has hailed the US Government for its tremendous support to the country, support which he said had helped Zambia make tremendous progress in fighting malaria and thrust international attention on a globally admired “Zambitious” program to eliminate the disease.

In showcasing the progress Zambia had made in fighting malaria over the last 15 years, Ambassador Kapambwe said that with support of the U.S, Zambia was firmly on an ambitious course to eliminate malaria.

He said the “Zambitious” program to eliminate malaria was a target that would be attainable with continued support of various partners. Zambitious was an expression making global rounds that expressed Zambia’s successful plan, determination and ambition to eliminate malaria.

Ambassador Kapambwe noted that the progress made since 2007 when the U.S. Presidential Malaria Initiative (PMI) was launched in Lusaka was testament that malaria elimination was possible.

“We dearly appreciate the support of the United States. The success we’ve had in fighting malaria is with support of PMI. We want to place on record our gratitude to the USA for its big support to ALMA but also for being the biggest donor in the fight against COVID-19,” said Ambassador Kapambwe in his address to a global audience discussing “15 Years of Fueling the Fight to End Malaria in Africa.”

Ambassador Kapambwe was part of a distinguished panel of African and U.S. leaders that included Dr. Kenneth Staley, the U.S. Global Malaria Coordinator, H.E. Mathilde Mukantabana the Ambassador of Rwanda to the US, Kenya’s Ambassador to the U.S H.E. Lazarus Ombai Amayo, and Deputy Chief of Mission of Senegal to the United States.  and the leaders of PMI and ALMA.

The panel also included Joy Phumaphi, Executive Secretary, African Leaders Malaria Alliance and Martin Edlund, Chief Executive Officer, Malaria No More.
 
Notably, Zambia has successfully transitioned the national malaria control centre into a malaria elimination centre with a view to eliminate the disease by 2021. The program to eliminate malaria is on track, with Lusaka and Mazabuka already malaria free. The Zambian Embassy in Washington D.C has continued to push government’s agenda by engaging in high-level malaria meetings to shore up support for malaria elimination with American government officials, diplomats, the private sector and the PMI.

Washington and Lusaka have for generations enjoyed long lasting and strong friendship dating back decades to Zambia’s independence in 1964. President Trump, when receiving credentials from Ambassador Kapambwe expressed his Government’s desire to deepen the “strong and abiding friendship” between Zambia and the United States.

Early this week, when President Edgar Lungu hosted US Embassy Chargé d’ Affaires, David J. Young and the USAID on the margins of the Commemoration of the USAID/Zambia 2019 - 2024 Development Strategy, the US pledged K39 billion ($1.9 billion) towards the improvement of health, education, economic development, and democratic governance of Zambians.

Issued by:

Eric Mwanza
First Secretary – Press & Public Relations
Embassy of the Republic of Zambia
Washington D.C.

More information:
Phone: +1 202 674-6531
Email: ericmwanza@zambiaembassy.org
Twitter: @ZambiainUSA
Web: zambiaembassy.org