Geneva, 16 March 2016

Young people continue to be chronically under-represented in the world's parliaments, a new IPU report has found, at a time when the global youth
population is the largest it has ever been in history.

Youth participation in national parliaments 2016,  launched today during the IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in Lusaka, Zambia,

In the last few days there have been reports in some sections of the media that the Zambian Government has received unsolicited offers from foreign
investment agents popularly known as 'Vulture Funds' to buy off the country's external debt. The media reports have made specific reference to
the already contracted debt particularly the Eurobonds.

Government would like to categorically state that it has no plans for any sale of its debt to any investor. The Government is fully committed to the

Lusaka/Geneva, 18 March 2016

More than 130 young Members of Parliament (MPs) from across the world committed to enhancing transparency and oversight of public finances as a
cornerstone of their fight against corruption at the conclusion of a global conference in the Zambian capital, Lusaka.

 As Commonwealth Secretary-General it has been my privilege in the past  eight years to visit every one of our 53 member states. I have seen
 the attraction of the Commonwealth connection: the exceptional regard  that it enjoys, and the sense of kinship and affinity that informs it.
 There is a bond within the Commonwealth that sets us apart.
 
 Partnership based on shared Commonwealth values and principles,  especially mutual respect, is treasured. The Commonwealth sets a high