Zim committed to strengthening global development partnership
ZIMBABWE is committed to strengthening global partnership for development through collaboration of all relevant international stakeholders in moving the agenda forward, which feeds into the vision of attaining an upper middle income society by 2030.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Ambassador Frederick Shava made the remarks when he addressed the 60th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Belgrade, Serbia, on Monday.
He also said the movement has been calling for united and effective responses to the threat posed by climate change.
“Now is the time to strengthen the global partnership for development, through enhanced multilateralism,” said Minister Shava.
“Our movement stands ready to join all relevant stakeholders in moving this agenda forward.
“Strategic mitigation measures, including climate finance, protection of forests, adaptation and technology, are essential to avert inevitable catastrophe and failure to meet the targets of the inclusive 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“Appropriate collective responses must recognise the clear links between climate, access to new sources of clean energy, water, food security and the elimination of extreme poverty.
Minister Shava acknowledged the important roles NAM has played since its formation in 1955 through the consolidation of its voice, and in the successful decolonisation process that it championed.
He said the movement has always called for the strengthening of the United Nations and was fully supportive of the ongoing system-wide UN reforms, to enhance and consolidate mandate delivery.
“Synergies and stronger partnerships with regional, sub-regional and other relevant organisations are also required to find lasting solutions to the many challenges facing our world today, said Minister Shava.
“The NAM should continue its principled call for the reform of the UN, particularly, that of the UN Security Council to make it more democratic, representative, transparent and effective.”
Minister Shava said NAM has supported the expeditious response of the international community to numerous conflicts and crises, and maintained its commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction and general disarmament as one of the major steps towards ensuring peace and security.
He reiterated Zimbabwe’s commitment to shared and collective endeavours to strengthen the ideals and principles of NAM that continue to be relevant in resolving old, new and complex challenges in the global village.
“The Spirit of Bandung and the foundational principles of NAM should forever be with us and continue to guide our Movement,” said Minister Shava.
As the world commemorates the 60th anniversary of the movement, Minister Shava said it was an opportunity to reflect on the long road the movement has traversed, the achievements made and the challenges faced along the way, and with the benefit of hind-sight and experience, chart the way forward.
“This is also an opportunity to juxtapose the ideals and principles of our Movement set out by the icons of the 1955 Bandung Conference and the Founding Fathers of NAM in 1961, in this beautiful city of Belgrade, and the reality on the ground with regards to the role the Movement plays in the world,” he said.