Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo in NEW YORK
CALLS by developing countries and the Global South for a just and equitable world order must be heeded to accelerate progress towards fulfilling the United Nations’ promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, President Mnangagwa has said.
In a statement he made virtually at the 2026 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Moment yesterday, the President said strengthening multilateral cooperation and delivering commitments on development finance, technology transfer and capacity-building should remain priority areas as countries work to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
“Zimbabwe welcomes the convening of the 2026 Sustainable Development Goals Moment, which presents us with another opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to accelerating action.
“With less than four years remaining, it is noteworthy that commendable progress has been achieved towards attaining the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; however, more work lies ahead,” he said.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015, is a global blueprint designed to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all.
At the heart of the agenda are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supported by 169 targets and indicators to guide national and international development efforts through 2030.
To ensure their attainment, President Mnangagwa said his administration had continued to integrate the SDGs into the country’s National Development Strategies, as Harare pursues its goal of attaining upper-middle-income status by 2030 and development that leaves no one and no place behind.
“Zimbabwe’s development trajectory remains anchored on the bold conviction that sustainable progress begins with investing in our people.
“Programmes are being scaled up to bolster national food security and self-reliance through climate-smart agriculture, the expansion of irrigation infrastructure and improved access to water and sanitation,” he said.
The President said the modernisation of Zimbabwe’s education and healthcare, as well as the empowerment of women and young people, was improving the quality of life, right from the household level.
Zimbabwe’s home-grown Heritage-Based Education Model has ushered in an education system that promotes innovation, research and development, as well as entrepreneurship, President Mnangagwa added.
“This is in-turn propelling my country’s modernisation and industrialisation agenda while addressing gaps and needs, both at community and sector levels.
“Additionally, we are harnessing our abundant natural resources to promote value addition and beneficiation, at source.
“This should ultimately drive the realisation of the SDG Agenda,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the deliberate policies being championed by his administration were creating and broadening new opportunities for prosperity and ensuring that the country’s wealth delivers sustainable benefits to communities and the economy at large.
This year, Zimbabwe exported Africa’s first-ever consignment of locally-processed lithium sulphate, which the President said demonstrated that sound policies and strong political will could go a long way in preserving value at source level, and addressing unjust extractive patterns.
“Undoubtedly, countries rich in natural resources must, first and foremost, equitably benefit from their extraction industries.
“I wish to reaffirm Zimbabwe’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” said President Mnangagwa.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres convened the SDG Moment, in line with General Assembly resolution 74/4, under this year’s theme, “Together, We Can Get There”, which the UN said reflected both the urgency and optimism of the moment.
“Despite mounting challenges, the Goals remain within reach provided that the international community acts collectively, scales proven solutions and accelerates implementation,” said the world body.
“The record of the past decade demonstrates that determined action can deliver results.”
The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2026 shows that of the 139 targets with available trend data, 36 percent are on track or making moderate progress, an improvement on the year before.
“Progress across the goals is happening, but it remains too slow and too uneven.
“Financing shortfalls, climate shocks, debt distress, conflict and inequality continue to undermine progress,” said the UN.
However, despite this, the world governing body said transformation remained within reach, but accelerating progress across the goals demanded integrated solutions at scale, sustained investment, stronger partnerships, and renewed international solidarity.
The SDGs are organised into five core themes, informally known as the “5 Ps”: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership.
