dyton mupawaenda
Victor Maphosa-Mashonaland East Bureau
Progress in Zimbabwe on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been negatively affected by illegal economic sanctions imposed on the country, sundry pandemics, climate change and global conflicts hence the need for accelerated actions by everyone for the attainment of the 2030 Agenda.
But the pressure in Zimbabwe to grow the economy and ensure more development with no one being left behind has overcome some of the implementation barriers, and in several critical areas the country is moving forward fairly quickly.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East Dr Aplonia Munzverengwi noted the problems in a speech read on her behalf by the Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mr Tavabarira Kutamahufa during the 2024 voluntary national review consultation.
The workshop was organised by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and was held in Marondera yesterday.
It was part of the follow-up and review mechanisms in the implementation of the SDGs, whereby United Nations member states are encouraged to conduct voluntary national reviews, the present review being Zimbabwe’s second.
Dr Munzverengwi said there was need to take cognisance of emerging issues such as drug and substance abuse which were negatively affecting societies, hence the need for collaborative efforts to deal with the issues.
Regardless of the challenges, Mashonaland East registered notable progress.
“Mashonaland East Province besides the challenges, registered notable progress through mining and success of high agriculture production using the adoption of smart agricultural innovations like Pfumvudza/Intwasa.
“Furthermore, improved performance of the mining sector and increased value addition and beneficiation in the province 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 and increased throughput to mining and agro based business in all nine districts.”
On the issue of the reviews, Dr Munzverengwi said they were critical as they enabled nations to gauge their performance since the inception of the goals.
“Voluntary national reviews allow us to take stock of SDGs implementation progress, identify gaps, opportunities as well as challenges. This will allow us to see how we have been performing since the inception of the goals in 2015 as well as compare ourselves with our counterparts.
“As underscored by the last year concluded September 2023 summit, President Mnangagwa indicated that there is a strong impetus for undertaking urgent, bold, ambitious, accelerated, just and transformative action necessary to reverse declines, get back on track and accelerate progress to achieve the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs .
“Ideally, President Mnangagwa’s policy directive for his second term in office is focusing and emphasising on production of results. This shows the country’s commitment to the attainment of the 2030 Agenda.”
She said the nation at large has hosted several programmes to raise awareness on SDGs, which include radio programmes and SDGs Exhibition Park which saw then participation by Government ministries, councils, civil society organisations, universities, the private sector and organised labour.
Online Reporter