ZAMBIA, UK EXPLORE COLLABO IN SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT
Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Permanent Secretary, Dr. Max Choombe, has reaffirmed Government’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships that promote sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Development through science-based research, innovation and institutional capacity building.
Dr. Choombe said this when he received a delegation from the United Kingdom’s Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), led by Senior Research Microbiologist, Dr. Athina Papadopoulou, during a courtesy call at the Ministry Headquarters in Lusaka.
Dr. Choombe said the Fisheries and Aquaculture sector remains critical to Zambia’s food and nutrition security, employment creation, livelihoods and economic growth, but continues to face challenges associated with climate change, environmental pressures and the need for stronger resource management systems.
He said partnerships such as the Bio-resistance Intelligence and Data Generation (BRIDGe) Project provide important opportunities for Zambia to strengthen research, share technical expertise and improve institutional capacity in support of sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Development.
Dr. Choombe further stated that Government remains committed to strategic partnerships that advance the objectives of the Eighth National Development Plan and the Grow Zambia Agenda, particularly in strengthening productivity, resilience and sustainable utilisation of natural resources.
The Permanent Secretary expressed confidence that continued engagements would identify areas of mutual interest and deepen cooperation between Zambia and the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Dr. Papadopoulou said the BRIDGe Project seeks to strengthen Zambia’s capacity to detect, understand and respond to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) threats through improved surveillance, laboratory capacity, data analysis and evidence-based decision-making.
Dr. Papadopoulou explained that the two-year UK-led initiative brings together five specialised agencies, including Cefas, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).
She added that the Project focuses on strengthening One Health approaches by improving the generation and use of intelligence on antimicrobial resistance across human, animal and environmental health sectors.
Issued by:
Benny Munyama
Principal Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock
