United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Rebecca Adda-Donto says the agency is committed to strengthening key innovations in Malawi through various initiatives and is working with government in developing the country’s first ever innovation policy.

She made the remarks during the first ever commemoration of the World Creativity and Innovation Day for Malawi in Lilongwe.

Adda-Donto described Malawi’s creative industry as a goldmine waiting to be mined and urged on the need to prioritise inclusivity and equity.

She disclosed that the UN held an annual retreat and invited representatives of diverse groups to reflect on what they could do differently and some of the recommendations which came out is that young people felt not included enough in their innovations and strategies targeting them.

Another highlight was that of not doing enough to include people with disabilities hence called on the need to be more coordinated and challenged innovators to be more innovative in their interventions.

Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba urged citizens to strive to continuously seek positive change adding that where there's no change, societies become obsolete.

She said the current administration places creativity high on its agenda noting that innovations by public service providers should aim at improved service delivery and increased revenue collection by diversifying revenue sources.

In his address, President Lazarus Chakwera pointed out that Malawi’s development is threatened by climate change and unsustainable debts.

He also spoke on the September Summit to be held in the US which will among others, reflect on these challenges and identity solutions to make sure future developments are sustained

The President paid tribute to some of the country’s innovators such as John Sailesi from NkhataBay who has connected 100 households to electricity

He underscored the need to scale up innovations and challenged the innovators to be more practical in their approach.

According to Chakwera K75 billion has been disbursed to the country's youths to help them in various businesses.

During the event, the Ministries of Tourism and Mining received $40,000 each for public sector innovation challenge awards.

The funding for the Ministry of Mining will go towards the innovation of a block chain mining system facility growth and revenue in the sector.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Tourism’s funding is a for a Multi module digital inspection system to provide digital solutions in the functions and management of information for its operations.