By Cecilia Chiluba /Zambia/Lusaka
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has formally accredited four new Special Representatives from the United Kingdom, Germany, Serbia, and Palestine, reinforcing its international partnerships as the regional bloc prepares to implement its next five-year strategic plan.
Those accredited include Rebecca Terzeon, British High Commissioner to Zambia, Soenke Siemon, German Ambassador to Zambia, Jasna Zrnovic, Serbian Ambassador to Zambia and Eleyan Keswani, Palestinian Ambassador to Zambia.
All the four accredited diplomats will now serve as officially recognized Special Representatives to COMESA.
Officiating at the accreditation ceremony, held on Thursday at the COMESA Secretariat in Lusaka, Secretary General, Chileshe Kapwepwe, highlighted COMESA’s evolution since its establishment in 1994, emphasizing its role as one of Africa’s largest Regional Economic Communities and a foundational pillar of the African Economic Community.
Ms. Kapwepwe stated that over the years, COMESA has championed trade liberalization, investment promotion, and sustainable resource management, supported by a network of specialized institutions serving its 21 Member States.
“The establishment of the Free Trade Area in 2000, and COMESA’s leadership in the Tripartite Free Trade Area and the African Continental Free Trade Area, demonstrate our commitment to a unified, prosperous continent.”
She said complementing this regional integration agenda is a strong network of Specialized institutions which support COMESA Member States in advancing regional programmes.
“We meet at a time when economies face pressures from climate change, supply chain disruptions, post-pandemic recovery needs, and geopolitical uncertainty. These realities reaffirm the value of partnerships anchored in mutual trust, technical cooperation, and shared aspirations for inclusive, sustainable growth.,” Ms. Kapwepwe stated.
With regards to partnerships, Ms. Kapwepwe hailed the United Kingdom for its long-standing support—most recently through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office—toward trade facilitation, climate action, infrastructure development, and peace-building.
She also acknowledged Germany’s extensive cooperation in renewable energy, private sector development, digitalization, and climate-resilient infrastructure, including contributions under the EU’s Global Gateway and NDICI-Global Europe.
On Serbia, the Secretary General welcomed its renewed engagement with Africa and expressed optimism about expanding collaborative opportunities. She further acknowledged the historical ties between Africa and Palestine, recognizing Palestine’s interest in deepening cooperation with the region.
“I look forward to collaborating with you and identifying areas of cooperation for further partnership. The Resource Mobilization & International Cooperation Unit will engage with your respective missions to explore practical areas of collaboration under this new framework,” she added.
Ms. Kapwepwe also announced that COMESA is finalizing its Medium-Term Strategic Plan for 2026–2030, which will guide the regional body’s integration agenda.
The plan focuses on five pillars which include: Consolidating the Regional Market: productive integration, infrastructure and connectivity, gender, youth and social affairs, and Effective and Efficient Secretariat.
She assured the accredited representatives of COMESA’s readiness to collaborate closely.
