Environment Minister Ndlovu hails President’s rural resilience drive amid climate change

In a statement read on behalf of the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Evelyn Ndlovu, by the Ministry’s Director for Environment, Mr Edward Samuriwo, Zimbabwe expressed gratitude to Côte d’Ivoire for its leadership of the African Group since COP16. Minister Ndlovu said the country regarded the responsibility as a “sacred trust” entrusted to it by all African member states. “Accepting the role as a sacred trust extended by 54 African member states, Zimbabwe reaffirms its commitment to advancing the continent’s collective priorities with unity, discipline, and resolve,” she said.

Mthabisi Tshuma [email protected]

ENVIRONMENT, Climate and Wildlife Minister Dr Evelyn Ndlovu has heaped praise on President Mnangagwa’s leadership, saying his drive to create an enabling environment for development has breathed new life into rural communities, making them stronger, more resilient and better equipped to face climate challenges.

Minister Ndlovu made the remarks during a tour of climate-resilient development projects at Hakwata Green Village in Chipinge, as part of the Climate Adaptation and Water-Energy Programme (CAWEP) Learning Event.

The field visit focused on practical community interventions linking water, energy and climate adaptation.

The CAWEP Learning Event is being held under the theme, “From Demonstration to Scale – Mobilising Policy, Investment and Partnerships for Climate-Resilient Rural Development in Zimbabwe.”

Minister Ndlovu said rural communities are now able to develop their economies through visionary strategies laid by the Second Republic.

She said there is need for a whole-of-Government approach where ministries, departments and agencies must continue working together while strengthening partnerships with development partners, the private sector, academia and local communities.

“I want to recommend the astute leadership of the President of Zimbabwe, His Excellency, Cde Dr E. D. Mnangagwa, for guiding us Government in promoting and coordinating such initiatives of climate resilience.

“Development cannot be achieved by one ministry or one institution working alone. We need Government, development partners, the private sector and communities to work together, complementing each other’s efforts so that development reaches the people,” said Minister Ndlovu.

Minister Ndlovu said the progress witnessed at Hakwata was an example of what could be achieved when communities are empowered to take ownership of development initiatives.

“There is need to take such successful interventions from demonstration to scale, particularly in the areas of climate adaptation, renewable energy, water infrastructure, agriculture, livelihoods and rural enterprise development.

“The lessons emerging from Hakwata and other participating districts should inform future programmes and policies, ensuring that development interventions are sustainable, inclusive and responsive to the needs of communities,” said Minister Ndlovu.

CAWEP brings together Government, UNDP, the British Embassy, local authorities, communities, private-sector players and academic institutions to share lessons and identify opportunities for scaling up climate-resilient investments.

The learning event is expected to produce policy recommendations, a scale-up roadmap, private-sector and academia commitments, as well as sustainability pledges at national, provincial, district and community levels.

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