UN commends Zim
THE United Nations has commended Zimbabwe for giving refuge to thousands of people fleeing conflicts in other countries and for its role in promoting world peace.
UN Resident Coordinator Mr Edward Kallon said yesterday at belated UN Day celebrations in Harare: “In the past years, Zimbabwe has played an exemplary role in promoting peace and generously given refuge to many thousands of men, women and children fleeing their own countries in fear of their lives.
“Zimbabwe’s security forces and civilians have and are serving in many UN peace operations around the world, sometimes paying the ultimate price – their lives. We honour such generosity and service offered selflessly by Zimbabweans to humanity.”
A number of Zimbabwe’s members of the security services have been honoured for their outstanding contributions to UN Missions the world over.
Mr Kallon said locally the UN Cooperation Framework (2022 -2026) was aligned to the National Development Strategy 1 and the sustainable development goals with a focus on strengthening national institutions and peoples’ capacities to engage, plan, manage and deliver on their development aspirations.
“Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 covering the years 2021-2025 encapsulates the shared commitment to leaving no one and no place behind in delivering concrete development results,” he said.
“The UN, through the cooperation framework, aims to mobilise US$2.8 billion to support the implementation of the National Development Strategy 1 with a focus on four pillars: peace, people, planet and prosperity. I believe this will drive transformative, inclusive, and sustainable development, economic growth, gender equality, climate action, and human rights.”
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ambassador Fredrick Shava thanked the UN for its support, saying the country made significant progress towards achieving the development goals.
“Key successes have been achieved in working towards attaining the sustainable development goals, through the establishment of policies that promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all,” he said.
“To this end, the transitional stabilisation programme and NDS 1 prioritised initiatives that are in line with achieving sustainable development goals.” When Zimbabwe was developing NDS 1, the UN provided technical and financial support to the process in a tripartite support structure working with the World Bank and the African Development Bank.