re delighted to hold a meeting with the Council of Churches in Zambia, led by the organization's President, Rev. Sauros Phaika, and General Secretary, Fr. Emmanuel Chikoya.

We had fruitful discussions with the Grain Producers and Traders of Zambia, comprising the Zambia National Farmers' Union, Grain Farmers, Grain Traders, and Water Harvester Associations.

This afternoon, we joined fellow mourners in putting to rest a family friend and founder of Gonde Lwiindi Culture Group Austin 'Nsabata' Mwiinga in Tebe area of Mazabuka under Chief Mwanachingwala of Southern Province.

We have signed into law, the National Pension Scheme Amendment Bill 2023 which, in line with our promise to the Zambian people, allows for the partial withdrawal of pensions.

In response to the mealie meal shortage affecting certain regions of the country, we have convened multiple consultative meetings with both government and private sector officials at a high level.

It is with great pride that we congratulate Mfikeyi Makayi on her appointment as CEO of KoBold Metals Zambia.

Last night, we attended a state banquet hosted by His Excellency President Nyusi.

It was a great honour and privilege to have chaired the virtual plenary session on "Democracy Delivering Strong Institutions", at the 'Summit for Democracy', at the KK Wing of the Mulungushi International Conference this afternoon.

In the wake of the pandemic, Zambia defaulted on its foreign debt. Its president argues that democracy alone will not improve his country’s lot.

Yesterday, we joined fellow citizens in officially opening the ABSA Bank House in Lusaka.

Today, we commissioned the 750+12MW Kafue Gorge Lower Hydro Power Station (KGL) in Chikankata District in the Southern Province. We expressed our profound gratitude to the Chinese Government, Sino Hydro, ZESCO workers, and other construction staff for this phenomenal engineering achievement that will go a long way to ending load-shedding, which had become an annual feature in our country.

This morning, we were joined by youths drawn across the country who have been showcasing their innovativeness in various areas under the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Science and Technology.

We were delighted and honoured to have officiated at the Special Forces Induction process in Mbala today.

Great interactions with the great people of Roan Constituency in Mpatamatu yesterday.

Yesterday in Chingola, we opened the Mimbula Mine which has created over 900 direct and indirect jobs. We will continue providing an enabling environment for business to thrive because our people need jobs and business opportunities.

Arrived back home from a very eventful 5th UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) whose main objective was to galvanise international support for least developed economies to integrate beneficially into the global economy, through inclusive and sustainable growth and development.

We wish our women a happy International Women’s Day. We all know that our women play a critical role in social cohesion. We however must acknowledge that women are still disadvantaged which we all must address aggressively.

On the sidelines of the The Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) today, we had a bilateral meeting with UK Minister of State for Development and Africa, Rt. Hon. Andrew Mitchell MP.

Pleased to have received a comprehensive presentation from a consortium of investors in the energy sector, at State House this afternoon.

Delighted to have addressed the first ever Zambia - EU Pharmaceutical Forum at KK Wing of the Mulungushi International Conference Centre today. The theme, "Strengthening Healthcare Through Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing" is in tune with our collective effort to finding a resolution in the challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry in our country.