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Wallace Ruzvidzo, Herald Reporter
THE United Nations (UN) will mobilise US$2,8 billion by 2026 to aid Zimbabwe’s development and attainment of an upper-middle class economy by 2030, the world body has said.
Already the UN Country Team in Zimbabwe, which consists of 25 committed UN entities, has successfully raised over US$1,2 billion, which has covered financing of four pillars, namely; people, planet, prosperity, and peace.
Zimbabwe and the UN are halfway through the 2022-2026 Zimbabwe UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, whose ultimate goal is to mobilise US$2,8 billion by 2026.
In his remarks at the framework’s mid-term review held in Harare yesterday, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya said Government was committed to attending to all issues affecting the general citizenry, hence continued cooperation with the UN.
The speech was read on his behalf by Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Reverend Paul Damasane.
“Government has embraced Constitutionalism which seeks to recognise the right of communities to manage their own affairs and to further their development, while ensuring equitable sharing of local and national resources.
“The Government and United Nations converge on a communocentric approach as both assays to include the participation of all levels of society with specificity to those previously marginalised. Pursuant to the above, Government has deliberately decentralised responsibilities to provincial and local authorities.
“To capacitate provincial and local authorities to be able to effectively contribute to their own development, at least 5 percent of national revenue is allocated to them,” he said.
Dr Rushwaya said it was encouraging to note that the UN shared the Second Republic’s Vision 2030, which once attained, will see a more empowered citizenry.
“I need not to over-emphasise the commitment by the Government of Zimbabwe to attend to all the issues that affect its citizenry for the betterment of their lives.
“The capacitation of communities and authorities at the lowest level is Government’s key priority to achieve economic participation.
“It is encouraging to note that the UN Country Team in Zimbabwe shares this vision, and is taking active steps to implement it through the Co-operation Framework, emphasising the four strategic areas agreed upon, namely: People-centred equitable, human development and well-being; Environment protection, climate resilience and natural resource management; Economic Transformation, equitable and inclusive growth; and Accountable, equitable and inclusive governance,” he said.
UN Country Representative Mr Edward Kallon said the bloc was committed to supporting Zimbabwe in its endeavours.
“It (framework) brings together the technical expertise, mandate and comparative advantage of 25 UN entities, collaborating to deliver tangible development results in support of Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), Vision 2030 aspirations to become an upper-middle-income country, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“It fosters inclusive dialogues and partnerships, adhering to the Common Minimum Standards of Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships.
“This platform leverages sustainable financing, encouraging investments towards realising the 2030 Agenda. It supports channelling donor contributions and developing innovative financing strategies for collective development results that leave no one behind,” he said.
Mr Kallon said Zimbabwe and the UN shared very cordial relations hence continued support and confidence in the Second Republic.
“At this midpoint, we reflect on, celebrate our progress, and reaffirm our commitment to support Zimbabwe’s sustainable development agenda,” he said.
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