Zambia and Madagascar have reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change due to the devastating adverse effects that the phenomenon has had on the two countries including the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the entire African continent.

According to a statement issued by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda yesterday, the two countries expressed profound concern at the adverse effects that climate change has had not only on Zambia and Madagascar but the SADC region and the entire African region and acknowledged that this was real hence the need to show serious commitment to addressing its challenges.

President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and his Malagasy counterpart Hery Rajaonarimampianina, who is in the country for a two- day official visit reaffirmed their commitment today during official talks the two countries had yesterday at State House.

President Lungu bemoaned the cyclone that hit Madagascar in March this year and commended the Malagasy government for the measures that it put in place to address the adverse effects of climate change on that country especially on its vulnerable communities.

The Head of State also shared with his counterpart, Zambia’s serious experiences of climate change which left the country with serious power deficit due to reduced water levels in the country’s water bodies such as Kariba Dam.

“I can assure you of Zambia’s support towards addressing these challenges, climate change is real. Zambia believes in the collective response to challenges presented by climate change and the promotion of a harmonised approach in the region on climate change issues,” President Lungu said.

He also reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment towards efforts aimed at maintaining peace and security in the region and the African continent saying there is need for peace in the region and the entire African continent.

“There can be no sustainable development without any peace in any country. “Zambia strongly believes that internal peace in African countries must be maintained. It is for this reason that l wish to put it on record Zambia’s commendation to the Malagasy government for the positive strides that your country has made in rebuilding your country,” he said.

President Lungu expressed hope that regional efforts would contribute to the process of consolidating peace and security in the region particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Lesotho and called for support from Madagascar towards Zambia’s efforts to bring peace to the region and the African continent.

And President Rajaonarimampianina lamented the adverse effects that climate change had posed on Madagascar and the African continent saying that was why Madagascar would stick to the Paris Agreement.

The Malagasy President said Madagascar and Zambia were facing the same challenges caused by climate change.

Mr Rajaonarimampianina observed that every year Madagascar is hit by cyclone and drought but that his country did not relent in addressing the challenges hence the various measures put in place to mitigate the impact.

The Malagasy President agreed that Zambia and Madagascar shared the same vision on peace and security in the region noting that there can be no economic development in the region without peace and security.

“Madagascar fully supports all peace and security efforts in the region and Africa. That is why we fully support Zambia’s role in its efforts to promote peace and security to the Democratic Republic of Congo under the framework of the African Union,” Mr Rajaonarimampianina said.

At the same meeting, Zambia and Madagascar pledged to escalate bilateral cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples.