President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has secured MK50 billion from a United States (US) based non – profit organisation GiveDirectly meant for national social cash transfer initiative.
Chakwera is currently in US attending the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Conference.
“I am delighted to inform you fellow Malawians that our national social cash transfer initiative has received a huge boost of US$42 million (over 50 billion Malawi Kwacha) from GiveDirectly, a US – based non – profit organisation,” said the president through his Facebook page.
President Chakwera and Rory Stewart
GiveDirectly President, Right Honourable Rory Stewart said they are doubling efforts to finalise the design of a US$300 million wealth creation project that will cumulatively benefit 1 million people from the initial 460,000 adults who will receive lumpsum amounts of close to US$550.
Immediately after meeting Right Honourable Stewart, says Chakwera, “I attended the Seed Global Health event at which we have agreed to strengthen financing for climate-resilient health systems and increase investments in the health workforce.”
“We are glad that issues of health and climate change are gaining joint recognition ahead of COP28,” he said.
Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has urged political parties and aspiring Members of Parliament for Dedza Central Constituency to abide by its Code of Conduct during the forthcoming by-election which is slated for November 16, 2023.
MEC Chairperson, Chifundo Kachale, made the call over the week-end during the launch of Dedza Central Constituency by-election campaign and presentation of the electoral calendar in the district.
The MEC Chairperson warned that the electoral body would not tolerate any move that undermines its obligation of providing free and fair elections and advised all contestants and political parties to refrain from attempting to rig the by-election or insult each other during the campaign period.
“We know the exact number of voters registered here and any anomaly will be noticed. Again, this time around, the law has been revised; you could be prosecuted if your conduct on the political podium is going beyond what the law permits,” he warned.
Kachale, therefore, advised all interested parties to focus on issue-based campaigning, saying castigating other people is now against the law and could undermine their role to contest in the by-election.
Oh his part, Dedza District Commissioner, Thomas Chigwenembe, advised members of the District Elections Supervisory Team (DEST) and other electoral stakeholders to work together so that the by-election is smoothly conducted.
President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has appealed for International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) support towards the implementation of Tropical Cyclone Freddy Post Disaster Recovery Plan.
President Chakwera made the appeal on Sunday 17th September 2023 when he engaged ILO’s Director General Gilbert Houngbo on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States of America.
President Chakwera with ILO’s Director General Gilbert Houngbo
The Malawi leader informed the ILO boss of the devastation caused by tropical Cyclone Freddy in March 2023 including the loss of lives, destruction of livelihoods and property across 14 districts of the southern part of Malawi.
“Malawi has since developed a recovery plan which includes interventions in several sectors including social protection interventions to support vulnerable survivors,” explained Chakwera.
“ILO’s support towards the implementation of the Cyclone Freddy Post Disaster Recovery Plan would be very much appreciated. I will be hosting the Malawi Partners Conference on Tuesday to consolidate and coordinate multilateral efforts in the reconstruction and recovery process.”
Chakwera then thanked ILO for the technical and financial support channeled towards strengthening the social protection system in Malawi.
He told the ILO chief that Malawi was developing a new national social protection policy that seeks to reform the social protection system to make it more comprehensive and sustainable.
“Malawi welcomes ILO’s continued assistance in strengthening capacities across district councils which implement the social protection programmes,” added Chakwera.
“Further, we would appreciate technical assistance to ensure that we design a robust, sustainable and inclusive social protection system that would make a difference in the lives of Malawian citizen.”
The ILO is a United Nations agency founded in 1919 that brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 countries to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera says he is determined to continue empowering Malawian women and girls in line with Social Development Goal (SDG) number 5.
The Malawi leader made the remarks on Sunday 17th September 2023 during the United Nations Women Generation Equality Midpoint event in New York, United States of America.
President Chakwera is currently in the US for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Conference.
“We are determined to use existing legislative, policy and governance frameworks to continue giving our women and girls equal opportunities for jobs, social protection, businesses and education,” he said.
Updating Malawians through his Facebook page, President Chakwera said he was delighted to learn from UN Women Executive Director, Sima Bahous, that the gender equality cause has already received financial commitments of up to US$407 billion of which US$20 billion has already been secured.
“This doesn’t include US$10 billion that has already been spent on the same,” he added.
“Malawi stands to benefit from these commitments as we empower our women and girls.”
President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has arrived in New York, United States of America ahead of the 78th United General Assembly (UNGA) Conference.
The Malawi leader, who is accompanied by the First Lady Madam Monica Chakwera and other dignitaries was warmly welcomed by Malawi’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Dr. Agnes Chimbiri Molande, Ambassador for United States of America to Malawi Esmie Chombo, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nancy Tembo, Malawi Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Lieutenant General Clement Namangale (Rtd) among others.
President Chakwera who is expected to address the 78th United Nation General assembly and deliver the Malawi national statement on 21st September 2023 will highlight the setbacks on global progress, poverty and food insecurity, which is worsening amid the ongoing Russia – Ukraine war, inflation, the high cost of living and the way humanitarian needs are escalating in scale and cost.
The Malawi leader is scheduled to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals Summit meeting, the Millennium Challenge Compact meetings, Malawi Partners conference as well as the African Investment meeting among others.
In his address, President Chakwera is expected to call for National Support towards Malawi efforts to build economic resilience against future exogenous shocks and keep Malawi on the track to become a middle-income economy by the year 2030.
The Malawi leader is scheduled to hold several bilateral meetings with some other heads of state, organizations and business leaders, all geared towards mobilizing resources for Malawi post-cyclone reconstruction and recovery as well as private investment.
The 2023 SDG Summit will mark the beginning of a new phase of accelerated progress towards the sustainable Development Goals with high level political guidance on transformative and accelerated actions leading up to 2030.
On the sidelines of the UN conference, the First Lady, Madame Monica Chakwera will also hold several meetings in which she is expected to engage with other first ladies and heads of international organizations where she will be advocating for support and exploring avenues for international support for development in Malawi.
Malawi stands to benefit a lot at this global gathering as it will bring opportunities to establish more connections with other world leaders and heads of various organization to finding solutions considering the economic hardships Malawi and the global world is currently facing.
The summit will also mark the half way point to the deadline set for achieving the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs and also respond to the impact of multiple and interlocking crises facing the world and is expected to reignite a sense of hope for 2030.
