While initial reports from Channel Africa and social media suggested the Malawian delegation, led by Foreign Affairs Minister George Chaponda, remained seated during a mass walkout protesting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address at the United Nations General Assembly, the government has denied the claim. Chaponda's office clarified that he was not in the hall at the time. Instead, he was attending a bilateral meeting with the Global Partnership for Education, where he secured a $150 million education deal for Malawi. During the broader UN proceedings, African leaders continued to press for reforms to the UN Security Council, specifically requesting permanent representation for African nations.
In other diplomatic developments, Malawi and Kazakhstan formally established diplomatic relations on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, reports DKNEWS. Foreign Affairs Minister George Chaponda and Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi signed a Joint Communique focused on a practical trade agenda. Kazakhstan is actively considering supplying wheat to Malawi, while Malawi is pitching its tea, coffee, and macadamia nuts as part of their initial bilateral cooperation.
Separately, the African Diplomatic Corps in Kuwait hosted a farewell reception for Malawi's outgoing Ambassador to Kuwait, Younos Abdul Karim, according to Times Kuwait. The event marked the end of his diplomatic assignment and recognised his contributions to strengthening bilateral relations, as well as his active role within the regional diplomatic community.