HH calls on Norway to Reopen Embassy in Zambia

By GIDEON NYENDWA

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has urged the Norwegian government to reconsider its decision to operate its diplomatic mission to Zambia from Malawi, and instead reopen its embassy in Lusaka.
Speaking during a meeting with Norwegian Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust at State House yesterday, President Hichilema said while Zambia holds warm relations with Malawi, the evolving global landscape necessitates a re-evaluation of such diplomatic arrangements.
He said it was in both countries’ interest to enhance their bilateral cooperation directly, particularly in areas of development.
Mr Hichilema also said Zambia was ready to collaborate with Norway in addressing global issues such as conflict, war, and climate change, which pose serious threats to development.
He expressed particular interest in Norway’s management of natural resources and praised its education system for equipping youth with practical economic skills.Mr. Hichilema added that Zambia aims to emulate Norway’s model of transparency and environmental responsibility, particularly in the mining sector.
He encouraged Norwegian investors to explore opportunities in Zambia’s energy, agriculture, tourism, and mining sectors.
Norway, in response, hailed Zambia as an excellent partner for investment and development, especially amid rising global tensions, weakening multilateralism, and disregard for international law.
Mr. Aukrust said the world was facing dramatic times and Norway needed dependable partners like Zambia to navigate these challenges, adding that his country was keen to deepen its collaborations with Lusaka.
He noted that although Norway had increased its own development support, it could not compensate for the shortfall left by aid reductions from other international donors.
This, he said, made investment-driven partnerships even more crucial.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Mulambo Haimbe also underscored the importance of building on the long-standing ties between the two countries.
And Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane highlighted Zambia’s shift from aid dependency to investment-led growth, aligning with changing trends in global development financing.