LUSAKA: Global public policy think tank CUTS International celebrated its 40th anniversary and 25 years in Zambia with a high-level event in Lusaka, spotlighting its contributions to inclusive development and consumer advocacy.
Officiating the event, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Lillian Bwalya lauded CUTS for its evidence-based advocacy since 2000, praising its role in connecting consumers, policymakers and regulators. She called for greater transparency and fairness in multilateral trade frameworks, noting challenges faced by least-developed countries.
The celebration featured the launch of CUTS’ new Consumer Portal and a landmark publication, The Innovative Route to Development: The Indo-Pacific Perspective and the Future of G20 and Africa. CUTS Secretary General Pradeep S. Mehta said the compendium is a timely tool to support global cooperation on climate, cybersecurity, and geopolitical challenges.
“The future of the Indo-Pacific will be defined by how we address shared challenges through dialogue and mutual respect,” Mehta said.
The event, themed Aligning Economic, Trade, and Regulatory Policies for Sustainable Development, drew over 60 stakeholders from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector. Key speakers included Indian High Commissioner Alok Ranjan Jha and former Bank of Zambia Governor Dr. Caleb Fundanga.
The compendium is available at: cuts-global.org/pdf/indo-pacific-compendium-the-innovative-route-to-development.pdf.
