Africa-Press – Malawi. Malawi on Thursday hailed the cordial relations that exist with the United Kingdom. Foreign Affairs Minister Eisenhower Mkaka lauded the partnership in Lilongwe during events marking the 95th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II held under the theme ‘CoP26 and the Environment’. Mkaka said the Queen had contributed immensely to the cause of humanity across the globe.
“We, in Malawi, are a witness to that; through the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, Malawi has enhanced its conservation efforts and addressed the problem of deforestation in Chimaliro Forest Reserve, Mangochi Forest and Liwonde National Park which have been designated as forest reserves under this initiative,” Mkaka said.
British High Commissioner to Malawi David Beer said Covid had dominated people’s lives, work and choices, adding that the last couple of months have been sad for the Queen, who in April lost her devoted consort of over 60 years, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Beer said the Duke accompanied the Queen on all her Commonwealth tours and State visits overseas, including to Malawi in 1979 and 1964. “With his Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme, he shaped and inspired the lives of countless young people around the Commonwealth. We remember the Duke for all of this and, above all, for his steadfast support for Her Majesty the Queen.
“One thing close to the Duke’s heart was environmentalism. He was a champion of the natural world long before it was elevated to the global consciousness. Such concerns are relevant this year more than ever. With global temperatures rising and the last decade being the hottest on record, we are facing a global crisis,” Beer said. During the event, Mkaka and Beer planted a tree in honour of the Duke of Edinburgh.
