Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo in New York, USA
AFRICA will take a message to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) that it must be heard, understood and treated as an equal by the world, President Mnangagwa has said.
Speaking to the media after meeting United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the President said African countries were attending the gathering as a united continent, adding that discussions at the General Debate would be collective rather than for individual countries.
UNGA81 is being held under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all,” with global leaders expected to deliberate on pressing international issues and the future of multilateralism.
“Well, it’s not actually anything that will be individual to Zimbabwe. The issues are collective. We in Southern Africa, or rather the African voice, is that we need to be heard, we need to be understood, we need to be listened to. We are solid in that, we are united,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said Africa was attending the gathering with its chin up, confident in its worth and place in the global community.
He said the continent was on the rise and nothing would stop its current growth trajectory.
“We come here with our heads up as sovereign nations. Africa rises, and we are rising with Africa,” said President Mnangagwa.
During his meeting with the UN Secretary General, he said they had discussed issues on multilateralism, climate justice, water security, and global system reform.
“Our message was clear: we come not merely as individual nations, but as one unified voice for Africa,” he later wrote on his official X handle.
President Mnangagwa said for too long, the international system had remained deeply unequal and thus, it was time to change it.
“True global peace and sustainable development cannot be achieved until the international financial architecture and global governance systems are structurally reformed to support developing nations fairly. From advocating for robust climate adaptation financing to advancing water diplomacy for water-scarce nations, Africa stands ready to lead.
“We also firmly reaffirm that lasting stability requires the inclusion of women in global peace processes and the urgent resolution of ongoing international conflicts,” he said.
The President then expressed gratitude to Secretary General Guterres for recognising Zimbabwe’s principled voice.
“Together, as a united continent, we will continue to champion the development, equity, and future that Africa deserves,” he said.
Yesterday, the President attended the opening session of the UN General debate, and a reception on the occasion of the 81st Session of UNGA hosted by the United States, President Donald Trump.
Tomorrow, President Mnangagwa will deliver his address at the General Debate, a platform that provides Member States the opportunity to express their views on major international issues.
On this occasion, the Secretary-General presents on the opening day of the debate his report on the work of the Organisation.
Established in 1945 under the Charter of the United Nations, the General Assembly occupies a central position as the chief deliberative, policy-making and representative organ of the United Nations.
Comprising all 193 Members of the United Nations, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter.
It also plays a central role in the process of standard-setting and the codification of international law.
The Assembly meets from September to December each year (main part), and thereafter, from January to September (resumed part), as required, including to take up outstanding reports from the Fourth and Fifth Committees.
Also, during the resumed part of the session, the Assembly considers current issues during high-level thematic debates organised by the President of the General Assembly.
During that period, the Assembly traditionally also conducts informal consultations on a wide range of substantive topics towards the adoption of new resolutions.
