15/11/2025
PRESS STATEMENT
ZAMBIA UNDERSCORES REGIONAL COOPERATION AT RCMRD GOVERNING COUNCIL MEETING
Nairobi, Kenya, November 15, 2025 – The 59th Governing Council Meeting of the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) has concluded in Nairobi, emphasizing the importance of regional collaboration and information sharing in advancing sustainable development across Africa.
Speaking on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Patrick Mucheleka, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, highlighted the meeting’s outcomes, stressing that regional cooperation and data-driven decision-making are key to addressing shared challenges such as climate change, land degradation, and natural resource management.
“RCMRD’s work is instrumental in helping our countries make informed decisions, particularly in areas such as land management, environmental monitoring, and climate change adaptation. Through partnerships, shared knowledge, and the effective use of geospatial technologies, we can collectively achieve sustainable development across the region,” Mr. Mucheleka said.
Mr. Mucheleka commended RCMRD for its pivotal role in supporting member states to achieve their national development goals through innovation, data analysis, and capacity building. He urged countries to take full advantage of the Centre’s technical expertise and training programmes to strengthen institutional capacities in land administrationand natural resource management.
He further noted that the meeting outcomes would inform future strategies and collaborative initiatives aimed at enhancing regional resilience, improving data accessibility, and promoting evidence-based policy-making across member states.
“The discussions during this Governing Council have reaffirmed the shared commitment of our countries to work together in addressing pressing regional issues. By leveraging RCMRD’s technical support and fostering cooperation, we can better position our nations to respond to emerging environmental and developmental challenges,” he added.
Zambia, as Chair of the RCMRD Governing Council, played a leading role in facilitating the meeting, which brought together representatives from 20-member states to deliberate on key issues in geospatial development, land management, and natural resource governance.
The 60th Governing Council Meeting of RCMRD is scheduled to take place in Malawi in November 2026.
RCMRD continues to play a central role in supporting its member states through the application of geospatial science, data-driven innovation, and capacity development, helping governments formulate effective and sustainable development policies.
Issued by:
Zambia High Commission in Nairobi
[email protected]