On the sidelines of COP27 this morning, we signed an MOU with the European Union on Forestry Partnerships.

We have arrived safely in, Egypt ahead of tomorrow's Cop27 conference on climate change.

Today we are proud to announce to the nation and the world that our joint efforts with other stakeholders have led to over 75% of our eligible citizens being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Yesterday at the inauguration ceremony of Prime Minister Sam Matekane of the Kingdom of Lesotho at Setsoto Stadium in Maseru, we took time to meet with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini, His Excellency Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku, and his wife Dimpho Masuku who were representing their country.

Today, we attended the premiere of a locally-produced movie ‘Can You See Us?’, a film that raises awareness of persons living with Albinism.

We signed MOUs with DRC. The private sector responded by signing deals, facilitated by ZDA, worth $24.5 million or K405 million at today's exchange rate.

Our warm congratulations to Right Honourable Rishi Sunak MP, the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

This afternoon Mutinta and I had the rare honour and privilege to welcome to the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Dr. Hage Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia, and His dear wife and First Lady Monica Geingos who undertake an official visit to our country.

After we arrived on the Copperbelt today, we spent part of the afternoon and evening in touring Kabushi Constituency in Ndola to interact and exchange views with residents of this area.

This afternoon in Namwala, we were greatly honoured and privileged to have joined His Royal Highness Chief Mungaila to celebrate the colorful Shimunenga Traditional Ceremony of the Ila people of Southern Province.

We have reviewed the mining sector regime in order to encourage more investment and increase the participation of Zambians in the mineral value chain.

Your government has approved an amendment to NAPSA reforms so as to provide members of the Scheme an option to access part of the contributions before retirement. This is one of our campaign commitments.

We visited the Walvis Bay Dry Port to familiarise ourselves with the operations of this very critical facility that is a significant facilitator to the economic growth and trade for Zambia, Namibia and the SADC Region.

We were delighted to have officiated at the 2022 Swakopmund International Trade Expo (SWAiTEX), in Swakopmund, Erongo Region of the Republic of Namibia.

Accompanied by my wife Mutinta, we have left for the Republic of Namibia to participate in that country's annual Swakopmund International Trade Expo (SWAiTEX).

We have concluded late in the evening our tour of duty here in Mongu, where we came to officially open the first ever Western Province Trade, Tourism and Investment Expo where a number of local and international exhibitors in various sectors showcased their products and businesses.

We are adding 400,000 more beneficiaries on social cash transfer to push the number towards 1.4million. This has been made possible by removal of fuel subsidies.

We warmly welcomed, French Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, Madame Chrysoula Zacharopoulou and delegation for a courtesy call.

The biggest challenge in our livestock sub sector has been disease control and lack of vaccines.