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Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the quality and availability of environmental data to strengthen the enforcement of environmental legislation and meet national, regional, and international climate obligations.
Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Acting Permanent Secretary, Ranford Simumbwe, said effective monitoring of industrial emissions remained a key pillar of government policy.
Simumbwe made the remarks in Lusaka on Wednesday when a high-level delegation from Japan’s Yokogawa Electric Corporation Limited paid a courtesy call on the Ministry to discuss collaboration on environmental monitoring and management.
He noted that Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS) provide real-time and reliable data critical for air quality management, regulatory compliance, public health protection, and evidence-based decision-making.
“Government therefore remains committed to improving the quality of environmental data available to support enforcement of legislation and to meet national and international environmental and climate obligations,” Simumbwe said.
He welcomed the Yokogawa delegation and commended the corporation for its continued interest in supporting Zambia’s environmental protection agenda.
Simumbwe emphasised that government valued partnerships that promote knowledge transfer, technical learning, and sustainable development—while maintaining regulatory independence and institutional integrity.
“Government values constructive engagement with reputable private-sector players where such engagement supports capacity building, knowledge transfer, and sustainable development, while upholding regulatory independence and integrity,” he said.
He assured the delegation of government’s support for continued structured dialogue and technical cooperation with Yokogawa, adding that outcomes from the engagement would help shape future efforts to modernise Zambia’s emissions monitoring framework.
Similarly, Zambia’s Ambassador to Japan, Dr. Tobias Mulimbika, underscored the importance of Zambia–Japan cooperation in advancing sustainable industrial development.
“Modern environmental monitoring technologies are essential as Zambia pursues economic growth aligned with environmental protection and climate commitments under the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP),” Mulimbika said.
He stressed that accurate, reliable, and real-time environmental data remained key as the country worked to ensure that industrial development was environmentally sustainable and aligned with national and international climate obligations.
“In this regard, Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems and advanced data acquisition platforms are critical tools that enable evidence-based policymaking, effective regulatory oversight, and enhanced transparency in emissions management,” he said.
Yokogawa Electric Corporation Head of African Business Promotion Centre, Energy and Sustainability Business Headquarters, Takeshi Hasegawa, highlighted the company’s long-standing relationship with Zambia dating back to 1968, and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting improved air quality and public health.
He added that strengthened environmental governance through advanced monitoring technologies and enhanced data management systems remained central to Yokogawa’s partnership with Zambia.
“Leveraging Yokogawa’s strengths in measurement, control, and information technologies, we aim to support improved air quality, public health, and operational efficiency in Zambia’s industrial sector,” Hasegawa said.
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