malvernmugadzikwa
Sunday Mail Reporter
THE media should play a pivotal role in galvanising national support for Zimbabwe’s participation at the Osaka 2025 Expo as the mega event offers a golden opportunity to showcase the country’s economic potential, a senior Government official has said.
Set to be held from April 13 to October 13 in Japan next year, the event will draw participants from over 150 countries, providing a platform for major business deals to be sealed.
ZimTrade chief executive officer Mr Allan Majuru is the Osaka 2025 Expo Commissioner-General.
Addressing the media about the expo in Harare on Friday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana said the media plays an important role in shaping public discourse and fostering national pride.
“We urge the media to harness its immense influence to mobilise the national psyche towards a unified purpose to shape public discourse, inspire collective action and foster a sense of shared ownership, and, colleagues, the national interest is every Zimbabwean national’s responsibility.”
The Osaka 2025 Expo, Mr Mangwana said, transcends partisan political interests.
“Let us work together to ignite a national fervour that transcends partisan lines, narrow political interests or any other sentiment or grouping that divides us. Through compelling storytelling, thought-provoking analysis and inclusive dialogue, let us rekindle the flame of patriotism, reinvigorate our national identity and rally our citizens towards this common goal.
“By doing so, we can harness the collective energy of our nation, tap into its reservoir of resilience and propel ourselves towards a brighter, more prosperous future for all.”
It is the Government’s expectation, Mr Mangwana added, for the media to report widely on the Osaka 2025 Expo before, during and after the event, as this can positively impact on the nation’s future.
He also underscored the importance of leveraging social media platforms to generate interest and engagement using the hashtags #ZimAtOsaka2025 and #OsakaExpo2025.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ambassador Albert Chimbindi, who was represented by his director for international trade Mr Kingdom Gandanga, said: “The expo offers us an invaluable opportunity to engage with the world and boost trade and investment in line with our principle of being a ‘friend to all and an enemy to none’ and the mantra ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’.”
Online Reporter