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The United States has reaffirmed Zambia’s status as a priority partner and said it was ready to deepen defence and security cooperation, including support for the modernisation of the Zambian military.
Executive Director to the Deputy Under Secretary of the United States Air Force for International Affairs, Eugene Park, said Washington’s relationship with Zambia, which dates back more than 60 years, provided a strong basis for further cooperation. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1964.
Speaking on Thursday when he paid a courtesy call at the Ministry of Defence in Lusaka, Park said the United States was ready to work with Zambia in areas of mutual interest.
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“Zambia is a priority country for the United States. We have had over 60 years of bilateral relations. We are ready to work with you and support the modernisation of the Zambian military,” Park said.
Park said the long-standing relationship between the two countries provided a basis for continued cooperation, particularly in defence and security.
The United States has an established international security cooperation structure focused on building the capabilities of partner countries, including through training, exchanges and other defence programmes.
Park also commended Zambia for its participation in international military engagements, particularly its hosting of the Africa Land Forces Summit in 2024 and the African Air Chiefs Symposium in 2026.
He further congratulated Zambia on what he described as successful and peaceful elections on August 13, 2026, saying the United States was proud of the Zambian people.
Acting Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary, Milicent Mwenda, said defence and security cooperation between Zambia and the United States continued to grow.
Mwenda said Zambian military personnel had benefited from training opportunities in the United States, which had contributed to strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
She also thanked the U.S. government for infrastructure recently handed over at the Kenneth Kaunda Peace Training Centre in Lusaka.
“We wish to thank the American government for the various infrastructure they recently handed over at the Kenneth Kaunda Peace Training Centre in Lusaka. That infrastructure cost millions of dollars and we appreciate so much,” Mwenda said.
She said the continued support demonstrated the strength of the defence partnership between Zambia and the United States.
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