Your Excellency Emily Burns, High Commissioner of Canada to the Republic of Zambia and now, being accredited Special Representative to COMESA.

My colleague, the Assistant Secretary General Administration and Finance,

Colleagues from the High Commission of Canada,

Directors, Heads of Units and Staff from COMESA Secretariat,

Members of the media present,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me to extend to you a warm welcome to the COMESA Secretariat headquarters.

May I, also congratulate you, Your Excellency, on your new appointment as the High Commissioner of Canada to the Republic of Zambia and now, Special Representative to COMESA. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to you in discharging your new responsibilities.

Your Excellency, allow me first and foremost to pay tribute to the Canadian Government, for the successful launch of Canada’s Africa Strategy 2025 – under the theme: A Partnership for Shared Prosperity and Security” The Strategy clearly outlines the cooperation framework that the Government of Canada will follow in efforts to deepen cooperation with Africa.

As African countries and institutions rapidly evolve, so too must Canada’s engagement. At a time of global economic and geo-political volatility, Canada must seize opportunities to strengthen its economic and national security, including through diversifying its investments, improving supply chain resilience, enhancing peace, security and human rights.

The new policy represents a strengthening of Canada’s engagement with Africa, toward greater economic cooperation, strengthened peace and security partnerships, enhanced engagement of African diaspora communities in Canada, and international assistance that supports both economic development and youth employment.

Your Excellency,

As you may know, COMESA was established in 1994 as the successor to the Preferential Trade Area (PTA) for Eastern and Southern Africa, which had been in existence since 1981. Today, COMESA comprises of 21 Member States, stretching from Tunisia in the north to the Kingdom of Eswatini in the south.

Recognized as one of the largest Regional Economic Community by the African Union, COMESA serves as a key building block, towards the achievement of the African Economic Community as envisioned under the Abuja Treaty and the AU Constitutive Act. Our vision is to promote regional integration through trade development, investment promotion, and the sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of all citizens in our region.

In 2000, COMESA established the Free Trade Area (FTA), which has significantly facilitated cross-border trade. Additionally, COMESA has played a pivotal role in negotiations leading to the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the consolidation of the Tripartite Free Trade Area. We have also developed the largest number of institutions, many of which have grown to serve beyond the COMESA region.

Your Excellency,

The 5 strategic areas outlined in the new strategy that has been launched by your government, are aligned with COMESA’s aspirations as well as the African Union’s “Agenda 2063”.

On the need to strengthen our diplomatic engagement and people-to-people ties, we welcome the proposal of looking for new partners away from traditional development partners, especially with recent shifts in global partnerships and development cooperation frameworks.

As one of the biggest RECS, we look forward to partnering with the government of Canada to expand our collaboration to new frontiers and take advantage of the opportunities that exist in our region.

Your Excellency

Today’s event has come at an opportune time, as your accreditation to COMESA marks the new chapter in promoting a mutually beneficial cooperation and partnership between COMESA countries and Canada. Allow me to recall the role your country played in the decolonisation process and the liberation of some countries in Africa.

Canada has a long record of participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations in the African continent and some of our member states namely; Rwanda, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Your Excellency,

With these few remarks, allow me to once again congratulate you and express my best wishes in your new role as Special Representative of the Government of Canada to COMESA. I would like to assure you of our support as you take up your responsibilities.

I thank you for your attention.