Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira in BAKU, Azerbaijan
VICE President Dr Constantino Chiwenga arrived in Azerbaijan yesterday, where he is today expected to address the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum, which seeks to tackle the challenge of rapid urbanisation and raise awareness of the need for structured and sustainable development.
The Vice President, who is representing President Mnangagwa, will address the forum, which is being attended by world leaders, urban planners, developers, researchers and civic organisations, among other stakeholders.
His address will highlight Zimbabwe’s several initiatives to provide sustainable, inclusive housing delivery mechanisms meant to improve the lives of ordinary people in the country.
The Forum is being held under the theme; “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities” and is being organised by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme and the Government of Azerbaijan.
Zimbabwe’s participation will provide impetus to its housing delivery drive, where it made an upward revision to its one million housing units target from the initial 220 000 by the end of this year, in line with its drive to attain an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
VP Chiwenga is being accompanied by Housing and Social Affairs Minister Professor Paul Mavima, his deputy Musa Ncube, and senior Government officials.
He was welcomed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in the capital, Baku, by Zimbabwe’s Acting Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mr Muponesi Dzapasi, and the host country’s Minister of Culture, Mr Adil Karimli.
The Vice President’s visit comes as Zimbabwe has intensified the issuance of digital and securitised title deeds to property owners and has regularised settlements in its pursuit of inclusive urban growth that leaves no one and no place behind.
As part of his engagement, VP Chiwenga met the Zimbabwean community resident in Azerbaijan last night, where he briefed them on economic developments back home and how they could contribute to the country’s economic growth. He also had time to listen to their concerns and experiences in Azerbaijan.
In his address, VP Chiwenga said they should realise that they were carrying the Zimbabwean flag.
“I extend warm greetings from the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency President Mnangagwa, and the people back home. Our nation holds your contributions to the economic and social sectors in high regard,” said VP Chiwenga.
“I realise that you represent a diverse spectrum of disciplines that include education, international relations, business, science and medicine, each of which is indispensable to the advancement of our country. As Government, we are committed to fostering an environment where Zimbabweans in the diaspora are afforded an opportunity to use their skills and experiences gained. Together we can build a stronger, more prosperous Zimbabwe.”
He said the forum was critical in the provision of the basic needs of any human being, which include shelter, water and food.
He said there was a need for strong co-ordination under a Whole-of-Government and society approach to explore opportunities in Azerbaijan and other foreign markets for exports anchored on the country’s huge endowment.
“We are now entering the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where Artificial Intelligence plays a major role. You can never develop a country without human resources of quality and not quantity,” said VP Chiwenga.
He outlined several initiatives that the Government had embarked upon to improve the lives of ordinary people in different facets of the economy.
Earlier, Africa Caucasus Forum founder Mr Predict Mutepfe outlined several opportunities that Zimbabwe could explore in Azerbaijan.
“We know Azerbaijan is serviced by our Russian embassy, as Zimbabwe does not have a fully fledged embassy, but if we can have a Trade and Culture Office to tap into the various markets here that include tea, tobacco, horticulture and flowers, I believe Azerbaijan might be a good destination for our products,” said Mr Mutepfe.
The diaspora has been playing an integral role in Zimbabwe’s economic ecosystem, with figures from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe showing that the sector contributed US$2,45 billion in diaspora remittances in 2025, representing a 14 percentage-point growth from 2024.
During the five-day Forum, at least seven municipalities will be exhibiting at an Expo being held concurrently with the conference, where they will showcase several initiatives they have embarked upon to ensure sustainable urban development, climate resilience and adaptation.
In an interview, Zimbabwe’s Permanent Representative to UN Habitat, Ambassador Winpeg Moyo, said Zimbabwe stood to benefit immensely from participation at the Forum.
“Zimbabwe’s participation is very important because UN Habitat is an organisation which looks at human settlements, and you know that in Africa there is a problem of urbanisation, and we want to look at how we are going to address this, how we are going to build climate-resilient cities, and how we should develop them in a structured and sustainable way.”
She said Zimbabwe will also explore partnerships and funding facilities for its housing delivery and climate-proofing and resilience initiatives.
The Forum will also focus on actionable solutions for affordable and inclusive housing and implementing the New Urban Agenda.
Issues to be tackled include how to address the needs of nearly 3 billion people in the world facing housing inadequacy by highlighting practical solutions, including land, tenure security and inclusive governance.
