Swinney to visit Malawi and Zambia as Scotland marks 20-year partnership

John Swinney will travel to Zambia and Malawi for a five-day visit to see the impact of Scottish development work over the past two decades.

The First Minister will mark the 20-year anniversary of the Scottish Government’s international development programme during the visit, travelling to Africa next Tuesday.

It is the first time a First Minister has visited Malawi since a partnership agreement was signed in 2005.

Various Scottish charities and public bodies are involved in a number of development programmes in Malawi.

It will also be the first ever visit of a First Minister to Zambia, and there Mr Swinney will see projects which deal with the impact of climate change.

Speaking ahead of his visit, he said: “The 20-year anniversary of our overseas development programme is a landmark that we should be proud of – we have seen how working together with our partner countries to better understand their challenges can have a transformative impact on communities.

“Current global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, conflict, poverty and inequality can only be addressed if the global south and north work together.

“Through that partnership approach, Scotland is both contributing globally and learning from our partners – for example providing joint leadership on climate justice, including loss and damage, and by focusing investment in traditionally neglected areas such as non-communicable diseases and disability education.

“Our funding has helped to build operating rooms for children’s hospitals, establish research labs, advance gender equality, support renewable energy initiatives, and ensure children – in particular girls – can attend school.

“At a time when governments across the world are cutting aid programmes overseas, internationalism, and international solidarity, has never been more important.

Linda Dembo, chief executive of the Malawi Scotland Partnership, said: “We are deeply honoured to welcome the First Minister of Scotland to Malawi for a visit that not only strengthens our enduring friendship, but also marks 20 years of transformative partnership through Scottish Government international development support.”