to work in Zambia was signed by the United States and Zambia on September 14, 1993. The first group of volunteers was sworn in on April 7, 1994. The Peace Corps program in Zambia has continued to increase with more than 200 American volunteers working to promote sustainable development through their activities in agricultural and natural resource management, health and sanitation, rural education, and humanitarian assistance. Volunteers are working in all of Zambia's nine provinces to build the local capacity to manage family fish farms, develop an innovative paradigm via appropriate technologies, to promote food security and promote positive resource management practices, to implement health reforms at the village level, to promote and support rural education, and to extend HIV/AIDS education and prevention efforts through full participation in PEPFAR. Volunteers live primarily in rural villages in remote parts of the country without running water, electricity, or other amenities. Peace Corps Zambia has one of the highest rates of extension (third-year volunteers) and enjoys successful partnerships with many other aid organizations in Zambia. Principal U.S. Officials Ambassador-Vacant Chargé d'affaires—Martin Dale Deputy Chief of Mission—John Armiger Public Affairs Officer—Phil Dimon Political/Economic Section Chief—John Gray Consular Officer—Sean Robinson Defense Attaché—Tony Stibral Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—Genessa Giorgi USAID Mission Director—Sheryl Stumbras Peace Corps Director—Brad Favor Diplomatic missions The U.S. Embassy in Zambia is in Lusaka. The United States established diplomatic relations with Zambia in 1964, following its independence from the United Kingdom. Zambia saw single-party rule from independence until 1973, when it formally became a one-party state. In 1991, Zambia began adopting multi-party democracy and a more liberalized economy. Zambia’s economic growth has not benefited the many rural and urban Zambians who continue to live in poverty. The Zambian government is pursuing a national development plan to reduce the economy’s reliance on the copper industry. The country’s primary challenges are to improve governance issues; restore debt sustainability, promote broad-based, inclusive economic growth; maintain adherence to democratic and constitutional principles; create employment; and develop its human capital. The United States and Zambia enjoy cordial relations. U.S. goals in Zambia include reducing widespread poverty and building and sustaining a democratic, well-governed country that contributes positively to regional stability. The United States works closely with the Zambian government to defeat the HIV/AIDS pandemic that is widespread but stabilizing in Zambia, to promote economic growth and development, and to bring about political reform by promoting democratic