Canada-Zambia relations
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Bilateral relations
Canada opened a diplomatic mission in Zambia in 1972. Canada maintains an Office of the High Commission in Lusaka, Zambia. Canada’s High Commission based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, is accredited to Zambia. In Canada, Zambia maintains a High Commission in Ottawa.
Canada’s relations with Zambia are based on decades of strong people-to-people linkages, substantial investments in the country’s mining sector, historic development cooperation and our Commonwealth ties. Canada and Zambia have cooperated closely on the issue of child, early and forced marriage (CEFM). Since 2013, Zambia and Canada have co-led resolutions on CEFM during the UN General Assembly. Canada and Zambia also partner on women, peace and security through the Elsie Initiative, which seeks to enhance the meaningful participation of women in United Nations peacekeeping missions, while helping improve gender inclusivity in leadership, structures, and policies in Zambia’s police services.
Trade relations
Canadian companies are active in the mining sector and are major contributors to Zambia’s economy and government revenue with $9.48 billion in assets in 2022. Two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Zambia was valued at $567 million in 2022, consisting of $546 million in exports to, and $20 million in imports from, Zambia. Top Canadian merchandise exports to Zambia were machinery, explosives, vehicles, optical, photographic and cinematographic items. Top Canadian merchandise imports comprise mainly of precious stones, copper, iron and steel, dairy produce and natural honey.
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International assistance
In 2021 to 2022, Canada provided $30 million in international assistance to Zambia. The majority of Canada’s assistance is channelled through multilateral organizations or implemented by Canadian and international NGOs. Canada’s assistance to Zambia contributes to growth that works for everyone, supporting women and girls, climate action, ending CEFM, and education. Canada is a proud donor to the Global Partnership for Education as well as the Global Fund, of which Zambia is an important recipient.
Through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, administered by the Office of the High Commission in Lusaka, Canada has provided support to local organizations to promote respect for diversity and human rights and the empowerment of women and girls.
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Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Zambia work closely in multilateral fora, such as:
- Commonwealth
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
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