The National Assembly of Zambia, on Thursday 30^th July, 2015, launched its 2015 to 2019 Strategic Plan at the Parliament Buildings; the Strategic Plan is the document that will inform the direction of National Assembly for the next five (5) years. 

The Speaker of the National Assembly Rt. Hon Justice Dr. Patrick Matibini SC, MP in his key note speech stated that during the formulation of the plan, extensive consultations were conducted with various stakeholders, Cooperating Partners, Parliamentarians and staff of the National Assembly and that he is very confident that his institution will achieve what it has set out to do.

Hon. Matibini also stated that the Strategic Plan has two sets of strategic objectives, the first set being for Members of Parliament and the second for the administration of Parliament.  The objectives for the Members of Parliament include: Strengthen the capacity of the National Assembly to effectively perform its legislative functions; Strengthen the Legislature’s capacity to provide effective oversight over the Executive branch of government; Build the capacity of the National Assembly to effectively participate in the National Budget Cycle; Enhance the representative function of the National Assembly; and Improve the organisation and management of procedures and functioning of the National Assembly.

The Speaker added that the strategic objectives for the administration of Parliament include: Strengthen support to the National Assembly for it to discharge its functions effectively; Improve administrative service delivery; and Develop infrastructure to enable Members of Parliament and staff to perform their duties more effectively.

And in a speech read on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)Resident Representative Ms Janet Rogan, she said that the launch of the National Assembly Strategic Plan comes at an opportune time when the Post 2015 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is taking shape. She also said that the launch of the strategic plan also comes at a time when the Zambian Government Zambian and the United Nations System are in the process of finalizing the 2016 -2021 Zambia – United Nations Sustainable Development Partnership Framework. She further stated that the development of the 2016 -2021 Country Programme Document (CPD) for the UNDP in Zambia, which spells out their contribution to the Partnership Framework, has reached an advanced stage.

Ms Rogan expressed confidence in the National Assembly Strategic plan and said that UNDP in Zambia does not doubt that that it resonates with the Post 2015 Agenda as well as with the proposed Partnership Framework and the UNDP – Country Programme Document.

The 2015-2019 National Assembly Strategic Plan is ultimately intended to enhance the core functions of Parliament which include, legislation, oversight, representation and approval of the National Budget.