PROVIDE PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO MITIGATE ENERGY AND DROUGHT CHALLENGES – SCIENTISTS AND RESEARCHERS URGED

6th October, 2024

Ministry of Technology and Science acting Minister Elias Mubanga says science, technology, and innovation are key to explore and define existing energy and drought solutions in the country.

Speaking when he officiated at the 2024 Zambia Science and Technology Conference, in Lusaka, Hon. Mubanga challenged scientists, technologists, and researchers to practically define solutions that will pave way for potential innovative technologies that could be non – hydro powered – dependant but superceded with new reliable source of energy inventions that will mitigate current energy and drought experienced challenges in the country.

The Minister said and challenged the participants; “The country is in the dark, and Zambia at 60 (years), where have we been in terms of technology and Science?”. Hon Mubanga put an emphasis on practical driven solutions, ” we would want to see, innovations, we want to see practical steps under taken”, as a country there is a need to work towards sustainable solutions.

Mr. Mubanga noted that the unreliable source of energy (hydro power) has resulted in power deficits, in the country, due to climate change factors, like any other (affected country) experiencing energy deficits too hence implicating water security in agriculture, energy, and affecting the wellbeing of citizens.

He said the conference theme outlines the urgency of challenges that underscores the power of collaborations to sustainable solutions.

Hon. Mubanga urged participants to equally develop solutions from the previous developed concept – body of knowledge that could be tapped in on continuity and eventually create job opportunities and wealth creation for the country especially with partnerships that border on practicability.

And delivering his welcoming remarks, Technology and Science Permanent Secretary Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu, said the conference theme; innovative solutions for a sustainable future, leveraging science, technology, and innovations and strategic partnerships to address energy deficit and drought, reflects on Zambia’s call for challenges and aspirations.

Dr. Habeenzu stated that, the energy shortages and droughts are not just technical concerns but they impact fabric of society, livelihoods, limiting growth, and creating barriers to progress and subsequently preventing change for transformation.

He indicated that, science and innovation are hence the key to overcoming the existing challenges and building a resilience of prosperous Zambia.

He encouraged a team of well informed participants to foster dialogue and exchange knowledge to define solutions.

Dr. Habeenzu said the ministry is dedicated to advancing the agenda and ensuring that critical challenges are addressed in the energy sector, and hence challenging scientists and researchers to be practical in research and renewable energies and create sustainable solutions.

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Counselor Division for Africa Region Development Center, Mohamad D. Islam said the theme speaks to the importance of innovations and resonnate well with the WIPO, (a 193 – United Nations Specialized Agency – member countries), that provides services for innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs to progressively penetrate their ideas onto the market and improve the lives everywhere.

Mr. Muhammad said WIPO with the support of the Zambian government, on long drawn out partnerships with PACRA and NSTC, has implemented the project dubbed IP4, intellectual property for young youth innovation in Zambia, to facilitate innovations with a focus to help the young innovators, inventors, and researchers develop complete – technology – prototype of applicable intellectual property (IP) solutions that lead to obtaining ownership innovation.

He said the IP plays a critical role for youth empowerment.

And outlining an indepth objectivity of the conference, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) chairperson professor Sody Munsaka said the energy and drought intensified by climate change, impacting society, demand for innovative solutions and a strong partnership to address with a call to action in defining solutions, through such a platform, by harnessing knowledge, partnerships, and ingenuity.

Professor Munsaka disclosed that on its collaboration fronts, NSTC selected and supported twelve young innovators alongside the support of PACRA and WIPO on the intellectual property for young youth innovation in Zambia project, the young – minds advances Zambia’s future on a viable platform that is nurturing talent and supporting intellectual property generation and protection.

He said, the conference is also exhibiting innovations of various technologies with the potential to impact communities and the economy, hence clearly demonstrating the power of innovations to drive sustainable development in providing practical solutions that are adaptable to society unique needs.

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