Malawi and the United States on Thursday night commemorated 60 years of bilateral ties.
At the event, acting US Ambassador Amy Diaz disclosed that her government has so far supported Malawi with $1.8 billion for HIV and Aids fight since 2004.
Diaz said the support yielded the largest harvest in the country in terms of preventing over one million HIV related illnesses.
The commemoration also marked the American Day of Independence.
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“The US government has provided USD1.8 billion towards Malawi’s fight to combat HIV since 2004, supporting over 13,000 health care workers and increasing life expectancy from 50 years in 2006 to more than 63 years today,” Diaz said.
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She said healthcare has been a cornerstone of the partnership as Malawi and the US government have worked hand-in-hand to combat diseases, improve access to essential medical services and strengthen healthcare infrastructure.
Diaz said all this has been achieved under the 18-year partnership with the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar).
On education, Diaz said since 2019, the US government has constructed 105 new rural community day secondary schools and expanded 30 urban secondary schools to enable over 30,000 additional students to enroll in secondary school each year.
She said from 1962 to 1978, Usaid constructed the main campus facilities and the cafeteria at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (formerly the Polytechnic) in Blantyre.
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She added that Usaid also constructed and equipped students and faculty housing at the main campus of the University of Malawi in Zomba.
“We have also partnered with Mubas and Luanar [Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources] to expand educational facilities and programming at these institutions,” she said.
Diaz said her government’s commitment to investing in education has empowered countless individuals to unlock their full potential and contribute to the prosperity of the nations.
She said since 1997, over 2,500 Malawian students and 2,000 exchange visitors have received visas to participate in US programs.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nancy Tembo said the achievements of the American people in various areas of the country serve as an inspiration to nations worldwide, including Malawi.
“We recognize the United States’ enduring commitment to the principles of freedom, democracy, and human rights.
“Our cooperation with the United States of America has flourished, grounded in mutual respect, shared values, and a commitment to progress. We have, sometimes, been painfully candid with each other, but that is a true testament to an enduring friendship,” Tembo said.
Tembo said that as the world grapples with embracing developing and advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning, the technologies are rapidly changing global economic dynamics.
She said to this effect, Malawi is counting on the support of the United States in its efforts to ensure that developing countries play a key role in this technological revolution, particularly in research and development and the support for the establishment of artificial intelligence regulatory frameworks that favour African nations.
The United States of America will be celebrating the 248th anniversary of its independence on July 4.
