.LUNGU

By CHARITY MOONGA –

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu is today expected in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to attend the 24th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly.
The President, as per tradition for a newly-elected leader, will address the African Union Assembly on January 30, 2015.
President Lungu is also expected to hold a number of bilateral meetings during the summit.
This is contained in a statement released by Information and Broadcasting director for Press and media, Isaac Chipampe and the Zambian Embassy in Addis Ababa.
Mr Lungu will be accompanied by First Lady Esther, who will also attend meetings of the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIVIAIDS (OAFLA).
The African Union Summit, which started on January 23, closes on January 31.
Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba arrived in Addis Ababa on Monday evening and was accompanied by Minister of Health Joseph Kasonde and Minister of Tourism and Arts Jean Kapata, who is representing the minister of Gender and Child Development.
The theme of the summit this year is ‘Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development Towards Africa’s Agenda 2063’.
The Executive Council, which is made up of ministers of Foreign Affairs, opened on Monday, January 26, 2015 and closed yesterday.
It is expected to, among other things, debate alternative sources of funding for the African Union, whose budget is mainly sponsored by cooperating partners.
The African Union is looking for a sustainable way of funding the continental body. Mr Kalaba is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings during the summit.
The issue of the Ebola epidemic also came in the spotlight yesterday where Dr Kasonde was expected to take part.
The summit will also discuss the setting up of the African Centre for Disease Control (CDC), and Zambia is bidding to host the regional African CDC.