ZAMBIAN INTEREST IN GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR

UNCLAS LUSAKA 001181 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EEB -- MIKAEL LURIE AND JANET SPECK DEPARTMENT PASS TO USAID -- BILL HAMMINK USDA FOR KIRK MILLER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EAGR ETRD TBIO EAID PGOV SUBJECT: ZAMBIAN INTEREST IN GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD REF: STATE 123480 Emboffs discussed the proposed Global Partnership for Agriculture and Food (GPAF) with Permanent Secretary for Agriculture Isaac Phiri, who promised to consider the reftel talking points and to be in touch if the Zambian Government has suggestions on how the partnership could best be structured. Phiri said that representatives from the French and UK diplomatic missions had not discussed the initiative with him (note: Emboff's counterparts at the UK High Commission were entirely unfamiliar with GPAF). Although Phiri did not commit the GRZ to becoming a GPAF partner, Phiri said he looked forward to receiving more information on GPAF and indicated his interest in participating in the first meeting in 2009. BOOTH