The United Nations (UN) and the Zimbabwean government have collaborated in an effort to meet the obligations of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
In a speech read on his behalf by Information, Media and Broadcast Services Minister Chris Mushohwe, at celebrations to mark the 71st anniversary of the UN, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa revealed that government has roped in the UN in order to meet and achieve the targets set in the SGDs as well as aligning them to the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Social-Economic Transformation (ZimASSET)
He said the UN Day is a highlight of the progress made since the adoption of the SGDs in 2015.
“This days serves as a reminder of the work that we are doing with the United Nations in trying to meet the objectives of the SGDs which were adopted in 2015.
“As government, we are enthused that the implementation of these sustainable goals has brought about a unique experience through working with the United Nations. Added to that, we are working hand in pocket with the world governing body in the implementation of our economic blueprint, the ZimASSET, so that we achieve and attain agenda 2030,” Mnangagwa said.
He added that , in line with the SDGs’ theme of leaving no one behind, government is urging the participation of everyone, especially the vulnerable and marginalized groups, so as make the goals a reality.
Turning to agriculture, VP Mnangagwa said climate change has hampered crop production over the past few seasons and government has come up with the Command Agriculture program to support farmers and improve crop production as well as food sustainability.
Mnangagwa said, “Food is central to the wellbeing of all human beings, hence it should be prioritized. Constitutionally, everyone has a right to clean food and water thus we have adopted the Command Agriculture program, which will bring in the long run, sustainable food production for the people.
“In addition, we are also trying to increase food self-sufficiency by building more dams across the country so that there is water harvest during the summer season. We have also embarked on dam de-silting and researching more on water harvest, said Mnangagwa.
He revealed that government, through the UN, has been focusing on issues to do with inclusivity to bring economic growth in rural areas and plans are under way to improve the quality of education in these marginalized areas.
His sentiments were echoed by UN resident Coordinator, Bishow Parajuli who said through the recently adopted Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Network (ZUNDAF), food sustainability is a reality and the 10 SGDs which were adopted by Zimbabwe would be attained.
In the first half of 2016, the first year implementation of the ZUNDAF programme cycle the UN has disbursed over $240 million with the generous financial support of donors and development partners and from the core budget of the UN agencies.
