Online Reporter
Remember Deketeke
Herald Correspondent
ZIMBABWE and Italy are set to strengthen bilateral cooperation in climate change mitigation, youth empowerment and trade, amid growing momentum in relations between the two countries.
Speaking after paying a courtesy call on Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister Dr Evelyn Ndlovu in Harare yesterday, Italian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Giuseppe Giacalone said Rome remained firmly committed to supporting environmental conservation initiatives and empowering young people to tackle climate change.
“In some projects in the country, for example, in the Miombo forest at the border with Mozambique, we have been supporting this initiative in recent years and will continue until the end,” he said.
“We hope to renew our support and also to increase it. This is just one example, and of course Italy, the Italian Government, is strongly committed to assisting young generations to face climate change, both bilaterally and multilaterally.”
Ambassador Giacalone said engagements with Zimbabwean authorities had opened avenues to deepen cooperation beyond environmental programmes.
“With Zimbabwe, we discussed this with the minister; there are possibilities to strengthen our bilateral cooperation, not only in this specific sector, but also in general trade relations,” he said.
He also noted growing economic interest between the two nations, citing recent engagements in Bulawayo.
“I have personally seen in Bulawayo the interest in our country and the potential for strengthening bilateral cooperation,” said Ambassador Giacalone.
Minister Ndlovu hailed the long‑standing ties between Harare and Rome, tracing them back to the pre‑independence era.
“Zimbabwe and Italy have enjoyed good relations since independence, or even before independence, as they supported us during the liberation struggle,” she said.
She added that Italy played a significant role in Zimbabwe’s infrastructure development soon after independence.
“After independence, we saw Italy coming to build major dams. One of them is Mazvikadei Dam, which our farmers are using and which is capable of generating electricity for us as we roll out new projects,” said Minister Ndlovu.
The minister noted that Italy had remained a reliable partner in climate change mitigation and youth‑focused initiatives.
“They have been supporting the Zimbabwean people in terms of climate change mitigation. We agreed that we are going to continue working together to empower our young people, because they are the future leaders who will look after our environment and climate,” she said.
Zimbabwe has also benefited from financial support from Italy towards environmental conservation projects.
“We have received a €1,5 million facility from Italy to conserve the Miombo woodlands at the border with Mozambique. Mozambique was also funded in a similar way, so we truly appreciate the relationship we have,” she said.
Minister Ndlovu added that the two countries continue to cooperate at the multilateral level, including within the United Nations framework.
“Since independence, we have had good relations with Italy and we continue to support each other politically at the United Nations and beyond,” she said.
The renewed cooperation is expected to strengthen Zimbabwe’s climate‑resilience efforts while opening new opportunities for trade and investment between the two nations.
