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Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
CABINET yesterday received and noted reports on President Mnangagwa’s attendance of the 45th Summit of Sadc Heads of State and Government and the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development Summit (TICAD).
Addressing yesterday’s post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said Cabinet had been apprised of the President’s successful handover of the Sadc Chairmanship to his Madagascan counterpart President Andry Rajoelina.
South Africa was elected incoming Chairperson of the regional bloc, while Malawi and Eswatini were elected Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, respectively.
Dr Muswere said President Mnangagwa had also signed the SADC Protocol Against Trafficking in Persons, the SADC Protocol on Statistics and the Agreement Amending the Protocol on Energy of 2021 during the summit held in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
“The Summit further approved the Agreement Amending the SADC Protocol on Finance and Investment to include provisions for countering money laundering and financing of terrorism.
“The Secretariat was directed to fast-track the development of the North-South Economic Corridor, and the implementation of the SADC Maritime Corridor Strategy to enhance trade, regional connectivity and economic integration,” he said.
Minister Muswere said SADC Executive Secretary Mr Elias Magosi was also appointed for his second and last term.
Following his attendance at the 45th SADC Summit of Heads of State, the President then attended TICAD in Japan.
Minister Muswere said the strategic objectives of participating at TICAD were to reaffirm, engage and re-engage with the international community, leverage on the strengths of its framework to drive sustainable economic development in support of national industrialisation and modernisation as well as strengthen Brand Zimbabwe.
“His Excellency, the President held bilateral meetings with Prime Minister of Japan, Shigeru Ishiba, the World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director, Ms Cindy McCain WFP is willing to consider Zimbabwe as a regional pioneer hub for grain, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Acting Administrator Mr Haoling Xu aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation across strategic sectors, including agriculture, health, mining, technology, trade and investment.
“His Excellency, the President delivered a statement during the Economy session, highlighting key priorities for Africa as well as Zimbabwe’s development.
“He invited Japanese Companies to partner with Africa in harnessing its critical minerals for new energy value chains through technology and skills transfer. The Peace and Stability session addressed conflict resolution, violent extremism, good governance and the role of women and youth in peace building,” said Dr Muswere.
During the Summit, the Prime Minister of Japan pledged US$5,5 billion for the expansion of the “Enhanced Private Sector for Africa”, US$1,5 billion in impact investments and training of 300 000 people from Africa with a focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and US$550 million to the GAVI Vaccine Alliance.
The Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA) and Cross-U, a leading global platform based in Japan for technology transfer and international business expansion also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate on space business.
“A notable observation in Japan-Africa relations was the call to shift away from donor dependency towards trade, mutual investment and public-private partnerships as primary vehicles for sustainable growth and win-win outcomes ensuring focus is on self-reliance and economic resilience,” said Dr Muswere.
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