Rutendo Nyeve [email protected]
ZIMBABWE’S successful campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, which secured the support of 182 out of 190 voting countries, demonstrates the country’s renewed diplomatic standing and growing international acceptance, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira has said.
The overwhelming endorsement, representing 96 percent of participating countries, marked a significant milestone in the Second Republic’s efforts to reverse Zimbabwe’s international isolation and rebuild relations with the global community while safeguarding its sovereignty and national interests.
Addressing the Senate on Thursday, Prof Murwira said the June 3, 2026 vote demonstrated the effectiveness of President Mnangagwa’s engagement and re-engagement policy, adopted upon assuming office in November 2017.
He said the diplomatic campaign had deliberately sought to challenge perceptions that Zimbabwe remained isolated, while demonstrating the country’s commitment to international cooperation, peaceful coexistence and constructive multilateral engagement.
“In 2017, on 24 November, the President, as he was inaugurated, inherited a country that was isolated. Due to vilification from different quarters, the country was under siege through the Press due to our bold move on our land reform programme. Nonetheless, we were under attack,” said Prof Murwira.
He said the Second Republic subsequently adopted a broader foreign policy framework aimed at restoring Zimbabwe’s position within the international community and integrating the country into the global economy.
The approach, he said, was anchored on the principle that Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy to none, with the country pursuing cooperation even with nations with which it had previously experienced strained relations.
“Zimbabwe does not seek to have enemies. Even those who were attacking us, we never classified them as our enemies. They might have classified us but we do not have a policy that says we are enemies,” said Prof Murwira.
He said Zimbabwe’s diplomatic engagement was guided by Section 12 of the Constitution, which outlines the country’s foreign policy principles, including respect for international law, peaceful coexistence and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Prof Murwira said the Security Council campaign provided practical evidence of these principles in action, demonstrating that Zimbabwe could preserve its liberation values and sovereignty while rebuilding international partnerships.
“182 out of 190 voting countries on that day of 3rd June, 2026 at 10.30AM New York time, Zimbabwe was voted 182 out of 190, which is 96 percent of the vote. That day, that talk of Zimbabwe being isolated was shattered. Zimbabwe is not isolated,” he said.
Prof Murwira said diplomatic re-engagement had also supported Zimbabwe’s growing participation in the global economy, with exports increasing from approximately US$2 billion in 2017 to more than US$20 billion.
He attributed the growth to expanding trade and investment partnerships, facilitated by diplomatic outreach and participation in international economic platforms, including the World Economic Forum and engagements with markets such as Japan.
“The issue of integrating Zimbabwe into the global economy is through trade and investment. This objective was again fulfilled,” he said.
The minister said Zimbabwe’s foreign policy was also increasingly informed by its regional responsibilities, with President Mnangagwa’s neighbourhood-first and Africa-first approach strengthening the country’s participation in continental institutions.
Zimbabwe’s assumption of the chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, which represents a market of approximately 700 million people, demonstrated its growing regional influence.
Prof Murwira said the Second Republic’s foreign policy was anchored on five pillars, namely, maintaining a peaceful environment for national development, promoting domestic production and trade, advancing tourism, strengthening cooperation in education, science, technology, innovation and culture, and protecting Zimbabweans living abroad.
He said promoting domestic production was critical to strengthening Zimbabwe’s capacity to participate in international trade, while tourism initiatives had enhanced the country’s global profile, following its recognition as the world’s best tourism destination in 2025.
Protecting Zimbabweans abroad, Prof Murwira added, remained another important foreign policy responsibility, citing the evacuation of citizens from Iran and South Africa during periods of crisis.
Despite the diplomatic gains, he said Government remained committed to consolidating Zimbabwe’s international relations through sustained engagement, constructive cooperation and an unwavering defence of national interests.
“So far so good, but we are not sleeping. We have to keep on working and being humble. We have to keep on making sure that people understand Zimbabwe, we maintain our values and people understand us,” said Prof Murwira.
He said Zimbabwe’s ambition extended beyond securing international acceptance to building mutually beneficial partnerships that advance economic development while preserving the country’s independence, sovereignty and national interests.
