Zambia and the Swiss Confederation have launched a bilateral cooperation agreement on climate action to support the development of high-integrity carbon market projects that deliver socio-economic benefits. The launch formalises implementation of the Zambia–Switzerland Bilateral Cooperation Agreement under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which was signed on 20 November 2025 on the sidelines of COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The event took place on Thursday at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka and was officiated by Minister of Green Economy and Environment Mike Mposha and Switzerland’s Ambassador to Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, Stéphane Rey.
“The agreement represents a strategic step towards advancing climate mitigation efforts while supporting sustainable development objectives,” he said. The Minister assured that Zambia had the institutional readiness required to implement the agreement, citing established governance structures, transparent approval processes, and ongoing capacity-building initiatives. He noted that the agreement marked Zambia’s third Article 6 bilateral partnership within two years, demonstrating the country’s growing engagement and credibility in international carbon markets.
In his remarks, Rey said that although Switzerland’s traditional bilateral development cooperation programme with Zambia was expected to conclude in 2028, strong relations between the two countries would remain. “The collaboration also contributes meaningfully to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in areas such as climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and inclusive economic growth,” he stated. Rey added that financial support for the mitigation initiatives would be channelled through Switzerland’s KliK Foundation, which mobilises climate finance from Swiss companies under the Swiss CO₂ Act.
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He said future engagement would be driven by innovative and mutually beneficial partnerships, including expanded cooperation in carbon markets and other climate-focused initiatives. “The cooperation provides Switzerland with an opportunity to meet part of its nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement, while at the same time supporting Zambia’s efforts to implement impactful mitigation projects that drive sustainable development,” Rey stated. He emphasized that the agreement was rooted in principles of environmental integrity, transparency, and human rights protection. Rey commended Zambia for its proactive approach to climate action, describing the partnership as a concrete, results-oriented pathway toward achieving shared climate goals.
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