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Nesia Mhaka Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe will remain an important player in the global economy, and as a tourist destination of choice since it is endowed with diverse natural resources, a Cabinet minister has said.
Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira said this while speaking at the Environment Forum in Harare on Wednesday.
President Mnangagwa officially opened the Forum.
Said Minister Mupfumira: “Zimbabwe is endowed with diverse environmental resources, including fertile soils, precious minerals, scenic topography, water, air, flora and fauna and such resource diversity became the premise on which Zimbabwe is indeed an important player in the global economy and tourist destination of choice.”
She said there was need for sustainable management of the resources in a manner that was economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally friendly.
Minister Mupfumira said consensus and proper coordination of all stakeholders on how to use and manage the resources was critical.
“Horizontal flow of information within each socio-economic stratum is needed as it allows the sharing of experiences and transfer of technology, as well as vertical flow in a bottom-up approach through the societal hierarchies from grassroots communities to policy makers.”
Minister Mupfumira said most urban developments were faced with challenges of poor management of waste water including sewage and solid waste.
She said inter-sectoral engagements were required if the challenges were to be effectively and holistically addressed.
Minister Mupfumira said Zimbabwe was a signatory to a number of multilateral environmental agreements at global and continental levels, which cover, among other things, the management of wetlands, polluting chemicals, solid waste, land resources and climate change.
“These obligations require domestication in a contextual and contemporary manner that talks to our national circumstances,” she said. “At global level, there are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets for 2030, and Zimbabwe has to do its part for them to be achieved.
“The goals are divided in sectors, but their integration is critical for them to be achieved.’’
Minister Mupfumira said the environmental forum “creates an opportunity to get input on good policy direction that promotes buy-in towards sustainable environmental management”.
It is envisaged that recommendations drawn from this Forum will be taken to Cabinet and the Parliament portfolio committee for policy improvement that ensures environmental sustainability.”
Online Reporter