By Burnett Munthali
President Lazarus Chakwera has returned home after a series of high-profile official engagements, including participating in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. His tour also included key meetings in Washington DC with leaders of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, aimed at addressing Malawi’s pressing economic challenges and securing international support for the country’s development agenda.
During his participation at the UNGA, President Chakwera represented Malawi in critical discussions on global governance, sustainable development, and the fight against climate change. Among the key achievements of this tour was Malawi’s success in soliciting both financial and technical support toward essential areas such as energy and climate financing. As Malawi grapples with the effects of climate change, especially on agriculture and infrastructure, this support is expected to be vital in bolstering the country’s resilience.
“Besides the traditional business of the General Assembly, Malawi has secured new commitments of financial and technical support, which will significantly aid key sectors like energy and climate resilience,” President Chakwera said upon his return.
Additionally, the President’s engagements extended beyond the United Nations. Through the Malawi Partners Conference, a significant platform created to foster international collaboration, the country has expanded its goodwill and attracted interest from global stakeholders in various sectors. This conference, which ran alongside the UNGA activities, focused on securing investments in agriculture, tourism, and mining—sectors that are critical to Malawi’s economic transformation.
“We have enlarged the goodwill among global stakeholders towards impending investments in agriculture, tourism, and mining,” President Chakwera noted. These sectors are seen as pillars for Malawi’s economic recovery and long-term growth, and the President’s efforts to attract international partners are seen as a pivotal move to boost Malawi’s competitiveness on the global stage.
President Chakwera also made time for bilateral meetings with several government and business leaders from across the world, using the opportunity to align on key issues related to Malawi’s socioeconomic development. These discussions covered areas such as infrastructure development, trade, and health, with the aim of forging strategic partnerships that will benefit Malawi in the long term.
“During the UNGA tour, we held key bilateral talks with global leaders from both governments and businesses. We aligned on several issues that will have a direct impact on Malawi’s socioeconomic growth,” President Chakwera emphasized.
As President Chakwera and his delegation return to Malawi, the focus now shifts to implementation. The President made it clear that he expects all those responsible for executing the agreements and policy positions to work diligently to ensure that the commitments made during this trip are realized.
“Now that we are back, it is my expectation that everyone tasked with the implementation of all agreements and policies agreed upon on this trip should work tirelessly to bring everything into fruition,” the President declared.
This call to action underscores the importance of translating the engagements into tangible results that can contribute to Malawi’s development. With commitments from international partners and a roadmap for investment in critical sectors, the next steps will be crucial in determining the long-term success of Malawi’s economic and social transformation efforts.
