Zambian Parliamentarians were among the many African Parliamentarians that participated in the March, 2019 Pan African Parliament (PAP) Statutory Committee Meetings that took place in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa and Tunis, Tunisia. The meetings took place from 27th February to 9th March, 2019.
The meetings were held under the African Union theme for 2019: “Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement.”
The topics discussed during the Committee Session included the following:
i.    Consideration of the 2019 African Union Theme;
ii.    Technical aspects of Food Security and Nutrition;
iii.    Consideration of  the PAP Strategic Plan 2019-2023;
iv.    Consideration of draft model laws on Disability and Climate Change;
v.    Promotion of intra-African Trade: Role of Universities;
vi.    Gender Responsive Budgeting;
vii.    Sustainable Development Goals;
viii.    The protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community relating to the Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of Establishment; and
ix.    Managing Debt and Corruption and Africa.
The outcomes of the Committee Meetings will be presented during the May, 2019 PAP Plenary Session and will form part of the resolutions and recommendations once adopted by Members.
During the March Committee Sitting, the Zambian Delegation also participated in the Pan African Parliament commemoration of the 2019 International Women’s Day. The event was commemorated under the theme, “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change”.
Hon. Margaret Miti, MP, the First Vice President of the Pan African Parliament Women’s Caucus, officiated at the event and in her welcome remarks emphasised the important role played by female Parliamentarians not only in their respective countries but also at the continental Parliament. She further outlined the unique challenges faced by female refugees and returnees when accessing key social services and in the general enjoyment of their rights.
The Pan African Parliament is a legislative organ of the African Union. It is intended to give all African States a platform to take part in discussions and decision-making on the problems and challenges facing the continent. The Parliament has eleven Permanent Committees whose functions are aligned to those of the African Union Commissions.
During the meetings held in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, Zambia was represented by:
i.    Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa, MP (Delegation Leader), Committee on Finance and Monetary Affairs;
ii.    Hon. Margaret Miti, MP, (PAP Women’s Caucus First Vice President)Committee on  Rural Economy, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment;
iii.    Hon Mutinta C Mazoka, MP Committee on  Rural Economy, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment; and
iv.    Hon Anthony C Mumba, MP,  Committee on Trade, Customs and Migration.
In Tunis, Tunisia, Honourable Maxas J. B Ng’onga, MP represented the Zambian Parliament on the Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs.