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A World Bank implementation support mission has concluded a five-day visit to Eastern Province to review progress under the Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme – Emissions Reduction Project (EP-JSLP).
The mission assessed implementation progress on actions agreed during the October 2025 support mission, including verification of the first Emissions Reductions Monitoring Report and implementation of priority activities under the 2026 workplan.
The delegation engaged government officials, traditional leaders, Community Emissions Reduction Coordination Committees, cooperatives, and local communities to evaluate progress in Climate-Smart Agriculture, Sustainable Forest Management, Livestock Development, Land Use Planning, and Sustainable Natural Resource Management.
Speaking when the World Bank Group mission delegation paid a courtesy call on him at his office in Chipata, Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Paul Thole said communities in the province were eager to see verification processes concluded in order to begin benefiting from the first tranche of carbon credits generated through the programme.
“Communities and traditional leaders are eagerly waiting for verification processes to conclude so they can realise the first benefits from the initial tonnage of carbon credits,” Thole said.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting programme implementation and ensuring communities benefited from sustainable land management and conservation initiatives.
World Bank Senior Agricultural Specialist and Task Team Leader Silvia Mauri said the mission was aimed at following up on agreed actions from the previous mission and strengthening collaboration with stakeholders involved in the programme.
“The mission is aimed at following up on agreed actions from the previous mission and assessing implementation progress in Climate-Smart Agriculture, Sustainable Forest Management, and other priority areas,” Mauri said.
She added that the mission also provided an opportunity to engage with the newly established Jumbe Community Emissions Reduction Coordination Committee in Mambwe District and appreciate progress being made in strengthening local governance systems and implementation of emissions reduction interventions.
World Bank Group Senior Climate Change Specialist and Co-Task Team Leader, Joseph Dickman expressed encouragement at the growing adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture technologies among local farmers.
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“It is encouraging to see farmers adopting Climate-Smart Agriculture technologies and improving productivity under the guidance of the project,” Dickman said.
The mission team earlier paid courtesy calls on Mambwe District Commissioner, William Banda and Chief Jumbe of the Kunda people of Mambwe District, who reaffirmed their commitment to conservation and sustainable land management initiatives under the programme.
As part of the mission, the delegation conducted field visits to Machinje National Forest and Titandizeni Multipurpose Cooperative, which previously benefited from support under the Zambia Integrated Forest Landscape Programme.
The World Bank delegation included Silvia Mauri, Joseph Dickman, Senior Social Development Specialist Njavwa Chilufya, Agriculture Economist Michael Kabwe, EPJSLP Programme Coordinator Noel Muchimba, and representatives from the Forestry Department and the Ministry of Agriculture.
The EP-JSLP is being implemented by the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment with support from the World Bank.
The programme aims to strengthen sustainable land management, forest conservation, climate resilience, and community participation in emissions reduction initiatives across Eastern Province.
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