Vice President Inonge Wina has assured Civil Society Organizations – CSO’s and African Union – AU organs of government’s support to create a conducive environment to operate effectively in the country.
Wina has cited AU organs and CSO’s as equal partners in contributing to national development hence the need to participate in the integration and development agenda of the African continent.
Speaking when she officiated at the 3rd general assembly of the economic, social and cultural council – ECOSOCC of the African union, the Vice President pledged government’s commitment to providing a peaceful, stable and enabling environment conducive for the establishment of a critical African union institution such as the ECOSOCC.
The Veep said it is an honor that Zambia is now host of the key organ of the union which has moved from Ethiopia to Lusaka and that government will look forward to the establishment of the secretariat in Lusaka by the end of the second quarter, this year.
She has however urged the African union commission to hasten the completion of the recruitment process for ECOSOCC secretariat adding that lots of work is required in steering the organ into a more concise and effective mechanism of operation.
“ I am therefore, confident that once the secretariat is fully established in Lusaka, the African union will through ECOSOCC, soar to greater heights as strong partnerships are forged between governments and all segments of civil society, in particular, women, the youth, children, the diaspora, organised labour, the churches, the private sector and other professional groups,” she said.
Speaking at the same event ECOSOCC presiding offer Abozer Almana has urged members of ECOSOCC and CSO partners to take advantage of the political stability in the country and lobby for development for the vulnerable.
Almana also thanked government for giving CSO’s an opportunity to be integrated in the developmental agenda of the country.
