NEW: Zimbabwe makes progress on SDGs despite sanctions

Online Reporter

Zimbabwe has continued to successfully implement several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), despite the country being under Western-imposed economic sanctions.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima said this while addressing the three-day 2023 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) currently underway in New York.

“Unilateral sanctions on my country by some Western countries have continued to wreak havoc on the lives and livelihoods of the people of Zimbabwe,” said Professor Mavima.

Zimbabwe, he added, is working tirelessly towards the successful implementation of all the 17 SDGs through the National Development Strategy 1 (2021-2025) and in line with the country’s Vision 2030, which is targeting an upper middle-income economy by 2030.

“We have registered notable progress through the promotion of high agricultural production and productivity through various strategies, such as adopting climate-smart agricultural innovations,” he said.

“Improved performance of the mining sector, and increased remittances through official platforms, have contributed to the progress being registered in several goals such as SDGs 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 13, through increased output; improved incomes; participation of women, youth and other marginalised groups.”

Professor Mavima said Zimbabwe is also prioritising rural industrialisation, innovation and technical skills development, as well as workspace and infrastructure support.

The HLPF started on Monday and ends today.