Speeches Shim
![](https://2017-2020.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail/public/news/10-23-2020/seevariety.jpg?itok=Y26GZF-R)
The agriculture sector is of major social and economic importance for all 16 Southern African Development Community (SADC) nations, contributing between four (4) and 27 percent of the gross national product (GDP) and approximately 13 percent of overall export earnings. Further, about 70 percent of the region's population depends on agriculture for food, income, and employment. The success of this agrarian region is highly dependent on easy access to high-quality, improved seed. As Peter Lungu, Director of Zambia’s National Plant Protection Organization has stated, “Seed is a key input for improving agricultural productivity and ensuring food security, and access to quality seed facilitates food resource diversification and prevention of genetic erosion.”
![Chargé d’Affaires a.i. David Young participates in the ribbon cutting ceremony with fellow diplomats. Chargé d’Affaires a.i. David Young participates in the ribbon cutting ceremony with fellow diplomats.](https://2017-2020.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail/public/speech/12-09-2020/6c1cd7a0-1be6-46fc-81bc-7feed184057d.jpg?itok=mdMbUddK)
It is my distinct honor to be here today as we launch the Democracy Strengthening in Zambia project. Voter registration, voter education, free and fair elections are not just top line policies to be pursued. They are also very near and dear to my heart. The United States Government applauds both the UNDP in their undertaking of this effort and the Electoral Commission of Zambia for their commitment to openly work with UNDP and other key stakeholders for the betterment of the country as we approach the general elections in 2021.
Land and resource rights are central to Zambia’s development trajectory and its movement forward on its journey to self-reliance. USAID has been collaborating with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Department of National Parks and Wildlife, House of Chiefs, Forestry Department and Ministry of Local Government across four main areas.
![With support of USAID, Lusaka Business Council staff deliver the first tranche of donated goods for storage in space provided by local business Napoli Properties as Zambia’s private sector joins in support of the fight against COVID-19. With support of USAID, Lusaka Business Council staff deliver the first tranche of donated goods for storage in space provided by local business Napoli Properties as Zambia’s private sector joins in support of the fight against COVID-19.](https://2017-2020.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail/public/pressreleases/private_sector_covid_response.jpg?itok=kKYdRXj5)
On April 8, 2020, just 21 days after Zambia’s Ministry of Health confirmed its first two cases of COVID-19, Medical Stores Limited (MSL) received an unexpected donation of mealie meal in support of the COVID-19 response. This was the first of many donations to come, as Zambia’s business community stepped in to do its part in the fight against COVID-19.
![USAID DISCOVER Health’s Kelly Chanika (left) demonstrates proper handwashing techniques with Chief Kanyama (center) and Senior Chief Sailunga (right) in Mwinilunga district, North Western Province, during one of the COVID-19 sensitization training sessions with traditional leaders. USAID DISCOVER Health’s Kelly Chanika (left) demonstrates proper handwashing techniques with Chief Kanyama (center) and Senior Chief Sailunga (right) in Mwinilunga district, North Western Province, during one of the COVID-19 sensitization training sessions with traditional leaders.](https://2017-2020.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail/public/pressreleases/traditional_leaders_COVID19_training.png?itok=z__HHjBe)
LUSAKA – On May 7, 2020, the Chairman of Zambia’s House of Chiefs, His Royal Highness Chief Kaputa, officially announced that Zambia’s Chiefdoms have committed to “working with the [Zambian] government in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.” Through the U.S. Embassy’s Zambian Partners Against COVID-19 (ZPAC-19) initiative and with support from the USAID DISCOVER-Health and Stop Gender-Based-Violence projects, this launch marked the beginning of a partnership to equip traditional leaders with information and guidance that their communities will receive on preventing the spread of COVID-19.
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