Online Reporter
Emmanuel Kafe and Obey Musiwa
GOVERNMENT has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, leveraging the forthcoming National Development Strategy 2 as the primary vehicle to achieve transformative, inclusive growth and meet the 2030 deadline.
This comes as the Second Republic, under President Mnangagwa, intensifies efforts to ensure “no one and no place is left behind.”
The commitment was underscored yesterday during the Second Bi-Annual Meeting of the High-Level SDGs Steering Committee in Harare, which brought together senior Government officials, the United Nations family, development partners and civil society.
In his opening remarks, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, represented by Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Mr Zvinechimwe Ruvinga Churu, said the meeting was pivotal as the nation concludes the NDS1 (2021-2025) and prepares for NDS2 (2026-2030).
“This gathering unites us in our shared commitment to accelerate Zimbabwe’s progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” Dr Rushwaya said.
He highlighted several key milestones, including the successful launch of the Open SDGs Data Portal, which enhances transparency and evidence-based policy-making.
“To date, 19 Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) have been completed and 46 more are currently being developed.
“This demonstrates our firm commitment to local ownership, transparency and accountability,” Dr Rushwaya said.
He noted that despite economic headwinds, policy reforms were demonstrating the Government’s steadfast commitment to fiscal prudence and macroeconomic stability.
“The introduction of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) in April 2024 has brought greater stability to prices and inflation, signalling the success of the Government’s reform agenda,” he said.
Echoing the Government’s resolve, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr Edward Kallon, outlined a strategic pathway to fast-track the SDGs, centred on targeted investments, debt resolution and strong partnerships.
