Haimbe to represent Hichilema at Club summit
By Thandizo Banda
FOREIGN affairs and international cooperation minister Mulambo Haimbe is in Antigua and Barbuda to represent President Hakainde Hichilema at the 2026 Commonwealth heads of government meeting (CHOGM).
The meeting opened yesterday.
Hichilema will not attend the summit, with Haimbe delegated to lead Zambia’s delegation.
This is contained in a press statement issued on Sunday by Ministry of Foreign Affairs principal public relations officer Eva Chanda.
The summit is being held from November 1 to 4 under the theme ‘Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth’ and has drawn heads of state and government from across the 56-member bloc.
Beyond the heads of government retreat, Haimbe will participate in the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting and the 75th Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), where Zambia currently serves as vice chair.
Chanda said the summit presented a strategic opportunity to advance government’s Grow Zambia Agenda by marketing Zambia as an attractive investment destination, promoting investment-ready projects and expanding access to international markets.
Zambia will also use the summit to hold bilateral talks to strengthen diplomatic ties and advance its bid to re-host the Commonwealth Youth Centre.
“The meeting provides an important platform for Commonwealth leaders to deliberate on shared global challenges and explore practical approaches to strengthening partnerships, trade, investment and development financing,” Chanda said.
“Zambia’s participation reflects its determination to leverage multilateral diplomacy not only to advance national development priorities but also to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s collective interests and the pursuit of a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous global community,” she said.
As a Commonwealth member, Zambia is expected to contribute Africa’s perspectives on global economic governance, climate financing, trade, peace and security, and democratic governance.
