Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere, [email protected]
ZIMBABWE’S independent foreign policy and willingness to speak its mind on global affairs are earning the country growing respect internationally, President Mnangagwa said yesterday on his return from the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York, United States.
Speaking to journalists soon after arriving at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, President Mnangagwa said the reception accorded Zimbabwe during the high-level gathering, together with the interest shown by American businesspeople, demonstrated the country’s growing standing internationally.
The President was received by Vice Presidents Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Cde Kembo Mohadi, Cabinet ministers and senior Government officials, as well as security service chiefs led by Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Emmanuel Matatu.
Reflecting on his participation at UNGA81, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe had been warmly received in New York and described his selection as the first African leader scheduled to address the General Debate as an honour.
“We were well received and, for some reason, Zimbabwe is highly regarded,” he said.
“We were given the first opportunity to address, which means a lot. The whole continent, to then be selected that Zimbabwe, President Mnangagwa, should address first, I think that was an honour. I believe so.”
President Mnangagwa addressed UNGA81 on Thursday, where he called for a just and equitable international order founded on peace and dialogue, while outlining Zimbabwe’s priorities ahead of the country taking up its non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 term.
Zimbabwe assumes the Security Council seat in January next year and has pledged to use its tenure to amplify the concerns of developing countries and advance Africa’s longstanding demand for greater representation in the council.
During his address, President Mnangagwa reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s support for the African union position on reform of the Security Council, as articulated in the Ezulwini Consensus.
Asked on arrival about the apparent similarity in positions articulated by African leaders on UN Security Council reform and other continental priorities, President Mnangagwa said this reflected the appropriateness of Africa’s common position rather than leaders merely repeating a predetermined template.
“It is not because it is the same template, it is because it is correct,” he said. “Not because it was the Ezulwini template, just that it is appropriate at the time.”
The Ezulwini Consensus encapsulates Africa’s common position on UN Security Council reform, including the continent’s demand for permanent representation.
The issue remains part of continuing UN negotiations on reform, with UN documents acknowledging broad support for addressing Africa’s historical under-representation on the council.
President Mnangagwa also used his New York visit to engage the American business community as Zimbabwe intensifies its economic diplomacy and investment drive.
He told journalists yesterday that the level of engagement and questions from businesspeople demonstrated considerable interest in Zimbabwe.
“I think we are respected, to be honest. Zimbabwe is respected,” President Mnangagwa said.
“We were given the room to address them, and they were well gathered and they asked a lot of questions. They showed interest about our country.
“I believe that we are doing well. Being very independent and speaking our mind gains respect.”
During his stay in New York, President Mnangagwa addressed the Zimbabwe Business Forum, which brought together investors, financiers, development partners and business executives as the country showcased investment opportunities in various sectors.
At the forum, the President reiterated Zimbabwe’s foreign policy of being “a friend to all and enemy to none” and assured investors that the country remained open to capital from across the world.
He also held a separate engagement with a group of 35 United States investors, including businesspeople with existing interests in Zimbabwe, as part of efforts to attract fresh investment.
The engagements dovetailed with Zimbabwe’s economic diplomacy thrust, which seeks to leverage the country’s international relations to expand investment, trade and economic cooperation.
At UNGA81, President Mnangagwa also outlined Zimbabwe’s approach to its forthcoming Security Council tenure, saying Harare would champion preventive diplomacy and mediation, stronger cooperation between the UN and regional organisations such as the African Union, the use of Africa’s natural resources to advance industrialisation rather than fuel conflict, and greater participation of women and young people in peace processes.
His UN address further called for reform of international institutions to give developing countries a stronger voice in global decision-making, while stressing that multilateralism should be underpinned by equality among nations.
