The Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic, Margarida Talapa, called on Wednesday, 28 October, for the 2027 Economic and Social Plan and State Budget (PESOE) to prioritise education, health, agriculture, food security and social protection in order to address the needs of the population, according to the Mozambique Information Agency.

The statement was delivered in Maputo during the solemn opening session of the 4th Ordinary Session of the 10th Legislature, at which Talapa also highlighted job creation, infrastructure development and the expansion of opportunities for youth and women.

Talapa further called for the analysis of the plan and budget to take into account resilience to extreme climate events, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and improvements to the business environment.

The Assembly Speaker warned of risks associated with the El Niño phenomenon, which manifests in irregular rainfall, drought and increased vulnerability among populations. In this context, she advocated for stronger water resources management and the development of climate-resilient agriculture.

Among the main items on the session’s agenda are the PESOE proposal for 2027, the General State Accounts for 2025, and the President of the Republic’s State of the Nation address. The agenda also includes the Annual Report of the Ombudsman and legislative proposals on the organisation and functioning of the Public Administration and the protection of personal data.

Talapa emphasised the importance of parliamentary oversight of budget execution, noting that members of parliament had visited their respective constituencies during the recess between ordinary sessions to gather public concerns. Parliamentary committees also conducted oversight activities to verify whether approved decisions are translating into concrete improvements in access to public services and infrastructure.

“Water resources management must be strengthened and climate-resilient agriculture developed,” Talapa stated.

On the political front, the Speaker appealed for understanding among the parliamentary caucuses and argued that differences should be expressed with respect and a sense of statesmanship.

“Let our legitimate and natural divergences in a plural parliament always be expressed with dignity, with respect and with a sense of the State,” she said.

Talapa also described the Inclusive National Dialogue as an opportunity to renew trust among citizens, calling for participation from political parties, government officials, religious and traditional leaders, academics, youth, women and the broader public.

“To dialogue is to recognise that the nation is greater than each of our individual reasons,” she declared.

The 4th Ordinary Session of the 10th Legislature runs until 22 December 2026 and includes the consideration of legislative matters and a question-and-answer session with the Government.