Serbia offers aid to Zambia as country battles drought
ZAMBIA has secured a pledge of assistance from Serbia to help mitigate the effects of a severe drought gripping the nation.
The commitment came during a meeting between Serbian President Alexander Vučić and Zambia’s Ambassador to France, Judith Mulenga, who presented her credentials as non-residential Ambassador to Serbia.
President Vučić assured Ambassador Mulenga that a delegation would be dispatched to Zambia soon to assess the drought situation and discuss how Serbia can best assist.
Zambia is facing a shortage of staple foods and an energy crisis due to the El Niño-induced drought.
Ambassador Mulenga briefed President Vučić on these challenges during their meeting.
The two leaders also reaffirmed the strong bilateral ties between Zambia and Serbia, dating back to Zambia’s independence when Serbia was part of Yugoslavia.
President Vučić renewed his invitation to Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema for a visit to Serbia, aiming to strengthen high-level political dialogue.
Beyond immediate drought relief, discussions focused on establishing broader cooperation in various sectors
Serbia’s Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, Dr. Jelena Begović, pledged collaboration with Zambian research institutions to tackle climate change challenges.
According to a statement by Naomi Mweemba, the First Secretary Press at the Zambian embassy in Paris, this partnership will involve knowledge and technology exchange to address agricultural issues arising from climate change.
Ambassador Mulenga emphasised the importance of such scientific cooperation, highlighting its potential to improve agricultural practices and technology transfer in Zambia.
Economic cooperation also emerged as a key area for potential collaboration.
Discussions between Ambassador Mulenga and Serbia’s Minister of Economy, Adrijana Mesarović, identified opportunities in knowledge transfer for agriculture, food production, pharmaceuticals, information technology, energy, infrastructure, and education.
Both sides expressed optimism about fostering collaboration in these areas for mutual benefit.
Serbia’s booming economy and the upcoming Belgrade Expo 2027, themed “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All,” further strengthen the potential for partnership.
Zambia aspires to participate in the Expo with its own pavilion.
This visit by Ambassador Mulenga opens doors for multifaceted cooperation between Zambia and Serbia, offering not only immediate drought relief but also the potential for long-term collaboration in tackling climate change and fostering economic development.
Kalemba July 12, 2024
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