Zambia has urged the World Bank Group to consider extending emissions reduction programmes to other provinces under the proposed additional financing for the Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development (TRALARD II) project.
Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Permanent Secretary, Dr. Douty Chibamba, said expanding the programme would strengthen natural resource management and increase the benefits of the forest economy for communities and the country.
Chibamba made the appeal in Lusaka on Monday when he officially opened the TRALARD II Implementation Support Mission, which runs from October 12 to 23, 2026.
He commended the World Bank Group for its support for emissions reduction initiatives, particularly the Muchinga Emissions Reduction Project being implemented under TRALARD II.
“Zambia had abundant natural resources, especially in the forest sector, where more emission reduction programmes could be developed to benefit communities and the economy,” Chibamba said.
He urged the World Bank to consider including additional provinces under the proposed additional financing to broaden natural resource management and extend environmental and livelihood benefits to more communities.
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The World Bank TRALARD II task team, led by Ambroise Brenier, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the project.
Brenier assured Chibamba of the Bank’s continued support in ensuring that investments and disbursements remained on schedule.
World Bank Group Global Manager for Carbon Finance Solutions, Olivier Mahul, said the institution was encouraged by the progress made under the programme.
“The Bank is impressed by the strides TRALARD has made since its first phase and remains optimistic about the investments under phase two,” Mahul said.
Meanwhile, TRALARD II National Coordinator, John Katongo Banda, thanked Chibamba for his direct supervision of the project and leadership of the Project Steering Committee.
Banda also updated the permanent secretary on progress in recruiting project staff to strengthen implementation across the project’s 32 districts.
The meeting was also attended by Senior Agricultural Specialist Sylvia Mauri and Senior Climate Change Specialist Joseph Dickman.
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