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Walter Nyamukondiwa Chinhoyi Bureau
Peace should be the foundation upon which developmental projects and economic blueprints such as Zim-Asset should be built on, Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko said yesterday.
VP Mphoko said this in a speech read on his behalf by Minister of State in his Office Cde Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga, at the United Nations International Peace Day commemorations in Chinhoyi yesterday.
“Let the world give peace a chance; let peace be Zimbabwe’s cornerstone in developing the nation; let peace be the fundamental strong foundation where Zim-Asset and other developmental projects can be built upon,” said VP Mphoko. “Let each one of us concentrate on making a positive difference towards peace.”
He said youths and children should be empowered to be peacemakers of the future. VP Mphoko said Zimbabwe had put in place mechanisms to foster peace through the constitutionally established National Peace and Reconciliation Commission.
The Vice President said legislative processes to operationalise the Independent Commissions Supporting Democracy were at an advanced stage.
The NPCR, he said, sought to bestow a legacy of solving disputes through dialogue to succeeding generations.
VP Mphoko said Government would continue to work with churches, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, youths and women’s organisations to foster peace.
In a speech read on his behalf by the UN resident coordinator Mr Bishow Parajuli, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, said governments should invest in the potential found in youths.
“There is no group more poised to help realise this dream than today’s young people. They are part of the largest generation of youth in history, more aware and connected than any before,” he said.
“I urge all governments to make greater investments in realising the potentially massive contributions of the world’s young peacebuilders.”
He called on all warring parties to lay down their weapons and observe a global ceasefire. World leaders will gather at the United Nations to adopt the 2030 Agenda — a 15-year plan to achieve sustainable development.
This year’s United Nations International Peace Day is running under the theme: “Partnerships for Peace — Dignity for All.”
The day is commemorated every year on September 21.
Online Reporter