Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Mr. Crusivia Hichikumba was leading the Zambian delegation at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference that took place in Germany from 7th to 8th October 2024.
Mr. Hichikumba joined other high-level keynote speakers at the conference such as the President of Serbia, His Excellency Mr. Alexander Vučič and the German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, (BMZ), Ms. Svenja Schulze.
Mr. Hichikumba was also scheduled to participate in a panel discussion on “Securing Global Responsible and Circular Battery Supply Chains.” The conference attracted participants from across the globe.
Zambia’s Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany Her Excellency Mrs. Winnie Natala Chibesakunda represented President Hakainde Hichilema, who was invited to attend the conference by the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, His Excellency Olaf Scholz.
Other members of the Zambian delegation included Mr. Musokotwane Sichizuwe, Director (Industry) Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Mr. Mushota Chitonge, First Secretary-Trade at the Zambian Embassy in Germany and Mr. Simon Njovu, Board Chairman for Small Scale Miners Association of Zambia.
During the conference, delegates deliberated on challenges and risks in the battery supply chain, solution-oriented approaches and potentials to ensure responsible and circular battery supply chains.
Zambia is one of the countries that produce critical minerals that are key in the production of electric vehicle batteries.
Picture caption: Mr Hichikumba (right) and Serbian President H.E Mr Alexander Vučič (left)