By Mulenga Banda
President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia has arrived Dubai, UAE ahead of the official opening of COP28, saying ” We attended the Commonwealth Royal Reception to launch the Inaugural Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum, in strategic partnership with the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI).
“We joined our host, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and fellow Heads of State and Government, captains of industry, philanthropists and heads of NGOs at the Forum that aims to deliver concrete outcomes from the private and philanthropic sectors.
“These global partners and multi-stakeholders offer expertise and resources to coordinate strategies for the private sector to help address the annual financing gap of over US$3 trillion needed to achieve net-zero emissions and restore biodiversity and natural habitats.
“We are doing our best to ensure that Zambia benefits from these pledges that are being fronted, ” the President said.