Two Zimbabweans vie for international posts
THE Executive Council of the African Union ( AU) has endorsed a list of candidates for election to posts in the international system, including Zimbabwean Dr Cosmas Zavazava for director of the Development Bureau of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for 20222026.
The council also directed that the elections for the bureau of the Pan African Parliament be held before the end of April.
Chief Fortune Charumbira is the southern region’s candidate for the post of president of PAP.
The news was delivered by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ambassador Fredrick Shava at the end of the 40th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Wednesday and Thursday.
“The ITU elections are expected to be held in Bucharest, Romania, in October 2022,” he said.
“Naturally, my ministry will be working hard going forward to support the candidature of Dr Zavazava, as we always do for Zimbabwean nationals vying for election to posts in the international system.
“The council directed that the elections for the Bureau of the Pan African Parliament be held before the end of April 2022. Hon Chief Charumbira is the southern region’s candidate for the post of president of PAP.”
Minister Shava said the purpose of the meeting was to adopt and approve the budget proposal for 2022, consider the theme of the year 2022, discuss the situation at the Pan-African Parliament, and the operationalisation of the Africa Centre for Disease Control, among other AU issues.
“The council approved a budget of US$65 110 573 for the year 2022,” he said. “Zimbabwe’s contributions are paid up, allowing us to fully participate and benefit from the programmes and activities of the union.
“We give credit to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development for making this possible.”
During the deliberations on the budget, Minister Shava “expressed concern with the AU’s continued and high-level dependence on support from development partners, which undermines our ability to define and direct the agenda of our union.
“Currently, 66 percent of the AU’s overall budget and peace support operations is funded by partners, a very regrettable situation.
“I took the opportunity to call for the resuscitation of the funding for the Harare- based African Centre for Fertilizer Development so that it can play its mandated role of contributing to food security in Africa.”
The Executive Council considered the AU 2022 theme, “Building Resilience in
Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent: Strengthen Agriculture, Accelerate the Human Capital, Social and Economic Development”.
The theme is aimed at galvanising stakeholders to secure greater political commitment and investment towards Africa’s food and nutrition agenda at the continental, regional and national levels.
The council also considered and reviewed the report on the operationalisation of the African Centre for Diseases Control.
“We commended efforts by the Africa CDC to strengthen the continent’s public health institutions.
“As Member States, we are now expected to support this important cause that will enhance the capacity of Africa to handle any future health emergencies and pandemics,” said Minister Shava.
He also said Zimbabwe, along with 14 other member states, was elected to the 15-member AU Peace and Security Council.
Minister Shava said the country will play an active role in promoting peace and security on the continent saying it was a clear recognition of Zimbabwe’s commitment to the continental agenda.
“The council commended the progress that has been made towards the establishment of an African Medicines Agency. The relevant treaty entered into force on 5 November 2021.
“Zimbabwe has expressed interest in hosting the agency in Harare and now awaits a visit soon by a team from the African Union Commission to assess our capacity and readiness to host the agency.
“We are hopeful that the team will find us equal to this challenging but prestigious continental task.”