By REBECCA MUSHOTA –

ZAMBIA is expected to participate in this year’s United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and African Union (AU) commission for economic and financial indaba, which will tackle the economic and social challenges that Africa is facing.
The indaba will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from March 31 to April 5 at the UNECA buildings.
This is according to a statement issued by first secretary for Press and tourism at the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia, Naomi Chulu.
Ms Chulu said Zambia was expected to be represented by the ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs, and Bank of Zambia officials.
The high level indaba would draw participation of African ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
UNECA representative, Ali Todaro said the indaba was expected to discuss recent economic and social challenges that many African countries were grappling with.
Mr Todaro, who was briefing members of the diplomatic corps during the final preparatory meeting, said the meeting would also discuss migration opportunities and challenges in Africa because these were issues affecting the continent.
The indaba would be held under the theme ‘Towards an integrated and coherent approach to the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals’.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Susan Sikaneta was confident that Zambia would be represented at the conference at the highest level possible.