THE First Ordinary Session of the Fourth Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has opened in South Africa with five members of Parliament representing the Zambian House.
The session which will run until 17th October, 2015 was officially opened by South Africa’s President, Jacob Zuma, represented by his Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.
The five Zambian parliamentarians are Ms. Dora Siliya for Petauke Central, Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa for Nalikwanda, Ms. Sarah Sayifwanda for Zambezi East, Mrs. Christine Mazoka for Pemba and Mr. Levy Chabala for Kankoyo constituency.
The current session has so far tabled and debated the Activity Report of the PAP which was presented to the house by PAP president Mr. Roger Nkodo Dang. The session has also debated the project Electricity for All Africa which was presented by former Minister of State for France, Mr. Jean Louis Borloo.
The session has also debated the state of the African Union (AU), which was presented by AU Commission Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and the African Peer Review Mechanism country reports.
Other topics expected to be tabled include debate on peace and security in Africa, debate on climate change in Africa, debate on urging the PAP to play an active role in spearheading the implementation of the Beyond 2015 Strategic Development Goals, debate on the xenophobic attacks in South Africa and debate on the establishment of the continental Free Trade Area – The role of parliamentarians.
The session is, on 12 and 13th October, 2015 expected to hold the 2015 Women Conference under the theme: “2015 Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa Agenda 2063: From Dialogue to Action – the Role of PAP Women in Parliament.”
The MPs have also been attending separate specialised committee meetings established within the structures of the PAP.
Issued by:
Nicky Shabolyo
PRESS SECRETARY
HIGH COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA IN SOUTH AFRICA
Mobile: 00 27 810027548 Email: press@zambiapretoria.net; nshabolyo@gmail.com