Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, the Rt. Hon. Nelly B.K Mutti, SC, MP, FAPRA says parliaments that embrace strategic planning are better positioned to deliver effectively on their legislative, oversight, budget and representative functions.

She said this during the official opening of the High-Level Workshop on Parliamentary Strategic Planning organised by the National Assembly of Zambia in collaboration with Inter Pares and the European Union, on 17th September 2025 at the Southern Sun Hotel in Lusaka.

Speaker Mutti said evidence from parliaments around the world shows that well-crafted strategic plans strengthen the legislative, oversight, budget and representative functions while institutionalising transparency and performance monitoring.

She noted that the National Assembly of Zambia is among Parliaments that have taken deliberate steps to mainstream strategic planning into its institutional development.

" I am happy to say that the National Assembly of Zambia has partnered with the European Union and Inter Pares, with the aim of strengthening the capacity of Parliament in strategic planning. A programme built on the principle of demand-driven, peer-to-peer exchange that will enable Parliament to learn from the national Parliaments of European Union while tailoring reforms to Zambia’s context and needs," she said.

Speaker Mutti however, said that while strategic development planning has proven to be constructive in supporting parliaments in developing their plans, implementing them has not always been easy due to the political nature of parliaments.

She urged participants at the workshop to therefore, use the two days to seriously deliberate on how parliaments can develop, implement and monitor strategic plans that are realistic, measurable and responsive to the evolving needs of the people.

Speaker Mutti said that all parliaments require well-crafted strategic plans which serve as roadmaps anchored in the national context, guided by institutional values and driven by evidence and engagement. She said such plans are essential for ensuring that parliaments remain effective and accountable to citizens.

Speaking on behalf of the European Union Ambassador to Zambia and COMESA, H.E Karolina Stasiak, Team Leader for Social Sectors and Governance at the European Union, Mr. Bogdan Stafanescu said the EU places high importance on supporting parliaments across Africa in strengthening governance and accountability. He said the European Union remains committed to helping build institutions that are not just resilient but inclusive, accountable and truly representative of the people.

Meanwhile, Inter Pares Head of Programmes, Mr. Jonathan Murphy said the workshop’s approach of peer-to-peer learning reflects the conviction that parliaments can best grow by sharing experiences and practical solutions with one another. He noted that the symposium is also an opportunity for participants to develop a toolkit on parliamentary strategic planning, which will support all parliaments.

And Acting Clerk of the National Assembly, Mrs. Loveness Mayaka said that the partnership with Inter Pares and the European Union demonstrates the Assembly’s commitment to international cooperation in driving reforms that advance transparency and accountability.

The Workshop was attended by representatives from partner parliaments from Botswana, Canada, Denmark, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Namibia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sweden and other delegates from the European Union and Inter Pares, members of the diplomatic corps such as the Ambassadors of Germany, Ireland and Sweden, the UNDP Resident Representative, the Oxfam Country Representative, as well as officials from Zambia’s Cabinet Office and management development institutions.