Zambia’s Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, Her Excellency Winnie Chibesakunda, formally presented her Letters of Credence to His Excellence Mr. Alexander Van der Bellen, Federal President of the Republic of Austria, at the President’s Office in Vienna, on 21st January 2025, accrediting her as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Zambia to the Republic Austria on a non- resident basis.
During her presentation, Ambassador Chibesakunda conveyed to President Bellen the warmest and cordial greetings and best wishes from President Hakainde Hichilema and the people of Zambia to the government and people of Austria.
And during a private meeting with the Ambassador, after receiving her credentials, President Bellen recognized Zambia’s efforts in keeping refugees and that to him, the country is still a beacon of peace in the region. He wondered how Zambia was financially managing this situation. The President also congratulated the new government in the area of good governance which has made the rule of law prevail in the country thereby making Zambia conducive to Foreign Direct Investment.
President Bellen was also aware that Zambia was grappling with the challenges of the drought for the 2023/2024 farming season with the devastating effects in the agricultural sector but was happy that the country was now experiencing good rains.
In her response, Ambassador Chibesakunda informed President Bellen that indeed Zambia has, since her own independence, been a home to refugees from neighbouring countries until all of them attained their independence. She however said presently, due to political instabilities in the region, the country has continued to be a home to more than 60,000 refugees, and that the Zambian government always has had a budget for keeping these refugees apart from the help the country receives from UNHCR, World bank and other Non Governmental Organizations and that any other help from bilateral partners like Austria was very welcome.
The Ambassador informed the President that as of January 2024, the Zambian government had launched the National Refugee Policy which outlines a progressive approach to refugees and Asylum seekers.
On the effects of drought, the Ambassador explained that Zambia’s food security was greatly affected because her agriculture is largely rain fed.
She further explained the new measures, inter alia for projects countering the negative effects of the devastating drought experienced by Zambia during the 2023/2024 farming season.
She appealed for investments of the Austrian private sector in mechanized agriculture which is inclusive of irrigation systems and water harvesting methods and also Investment in alternative energies so that the country doesn’t just depend on hydro power.
President Bellen assured the Ambassador of his support during her tour of duty and congratulated her and was looking forward to further cooperation between the two countries.