Ms. Etambuyu Anamela Gundersen, Permanent Secretary for International Relations and Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, recently addressed diplomatic staff at the Zambian High Commission in Pretoria. The engagement brought together Mission personnel under the leadership of Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Her Excellency Ms. Grace Mutembo. Ms. Gundersen used the occasion to highlight the critical role of economic diplomacy in advancing Zambia’s national interests and expanding the country’s international partnerships. She emphasized that strengthening diplomatic engagement is essential for creating opportunities that benefit both Zambia and its regional partners. The meeting also served as a platform to reinforce Zambia’s commitment to proactive diplomacy that aligns with broader economic and development objectives.
During her address, Ms. Gundersen underscored the importance of aligning Zambia’s diplomatic efforts with tangible economic outcomes. She noted that fostering trade, investment, and collaborative initiatives requires coordinated action by both diplomatic staff and government agencies. The Permanent Secretary highlighted that effective economic diplomacy can attract foreign investment, facilitate knowledge transfer, and strengthen bilateral and multilateral relationships. She encouraged Mission staff to identify opportunities where Zambia’s strategic sectors, including agriculture, energy, and industrial development, could benefit from international partnerships. Her remarks stressed that diplomacy should actively contribute to sustainable growth and development in Zambia.
Ms. Gundersen’s visit to South Africa coincides with the meetings of Senior Officials of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which are currently underway in preparation for the upcoming SADC Council of Ministers meeting. These regional engagements review progress on SADC programmes and projects, ensuring member states remain on track to achieve regional integration objectives. Key topics include promoting industrialization, agricultural transformation, and energy transition within the SADC region. Ms. Gundersen highlighted that Zambia’s participation in these discussions strengthens its influence in regional decision-making and ensures that national priorities are effectively represented. She emphasized that robust economic diplomacy enables Zambia to leverage regional partnerships for long-term development outcomes.
The Permanent Secretary also encouraged Zambian diplomats to proactively engage with counterparts from other SADC member states to identify areas for cooperation and joint investment. She noted that shared challenges, such as energy security, agricultural productivity, and industrial growth, require collaborative approaches. Ms. Gundersen stressed that Zambia’s strategic positioning within the region provides an opportunity to lead initiatives that support sustainable development and regional economic resilience. She urged the Mission staff to focus on building networks, promoting Zambian expertise, and facilitating partnerships that can generate both regional and national benefits. The emphasis was on translating diplomatic engagements into measurable progress that directly supports Zambia’s economic and social objectives.
Ms. Gundersen concluded by reinforcing the critical connection between diplomacy and development, highlighting that proactive engagement with regional and international partners is essential for achieving Zambia’s growth ambitions. She emphasized that the efforts of diplomatic missions extend beyond representation, serving as a bridge to attract investment, foster trade, and support policy coordination across borders. By integrating economic diplomacy into daily operations, Zambia can maximize the benefits of regional integration, industrial development, and energy transition. Her address underlined that the role of diplomats is central to ensuring that Zambia remains a competitive and influential partner within the SADC region. The engagement at the Pretoria High Commission demonstrates Zambia’s commitment to leveraging diplomacy as a strategic tool for national and regional development.