By KASONDE KASONDE –
AFRICAN Development Bank (AfDB) president, Akinwumi Adesina has arrived in Zambia to hold talks with President Edgar Lungu on areas of cooperation.
Dr Adesina said he is in the country to engage President Lungu in talks focusing on areas that require the attention of the AfDB.
Dr Adesina said the AfDB was willing to help Zambia and he wanted to know the specific areas the country needs help with.
“I have come to Zambia to engage in talks with President Lungu and his Cabinet so that together we can identify areas where the bank can help and I am also here to thank the President and the people of Zambia for agreeing to host the annual meeting,” Dr Adesina said.
Speaking yesterday when he arrived at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA), Dr Adesina said he also wanted to check on the progress made at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC), the venue of the AfDB annual meeting, scheduled for May, this year.
Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba, who welcomed Dr Adesina said the country had made serious progress in renovating the MICC.
“Let me take this opportunity to welcome you to our country Zambia, we are ready to show you the preparations for the meetings and later you will meet the Minister of Finance, a tight programme awaits you,” Mr Yamba said.
The 2016, AfDB annual meeting would take place from May 23 to May 27, with a focus on energy and climate change.
The theme of the meeting was aligned with two of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 7 to ‘Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all’, and SDG 13 ‘To take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts’.