PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa says Zimbabwe has made significant strides in the socio-economic development of the country in line with the target to attain an upper-middle-income economy by the year 2030.
He said this while virtually addressing the General Debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The 76th Session of the High-Level Debate has seen deliberations focusing on issues of mitigating climate change, fighting Covid-19 and strides that United Nations member states have made in promoting peace and development.
In his address, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said, tremendous strides have been made in Zimbabwe to eradicate poverty by empowering citizens through the land redistribution exercise that has provided sustainable means of generating income.
“For us in Zimbabwe, eradicating poverty and eliminating hunger remains a top priority. Climate change and resultant erratic weather patterns, growing populations, coupled with the effects of the pandemic on food supply chains, demand a shift from our traditional food production, processing, distribution and consumption systems,” said President Mnangagwa.
“My Government has established a firm foundation for sustained food production through the land redistribution programme as well as increased support for communal and small-holder farmers. This has led to broader and sustainable incomes for the majority of people living in rural areas who now contribute to the increased levels of household and national food and nutrition security.”
With a target of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe has made inroads in finding ways to create jobs, end inequalities and develop communities under its mantra “Zimbabwe is open for business”.
“Zimbabwe launched Vision 2030, aimed at improving the lives of our people, while sustainably managing the environment and ensuring that no one is left behind. The pursuit of this inclusive and transformative vision has seen the creation of more decent jobs, reduction of inequalities and access to quality social services.
“Expanded new economic opportunities for all citizens are yielding positive results across all sectors of the economy. The multi-pronged reforms we are undertaking have seen us being one of the fastest movers in the World Bank Ease-of-Doing-Business Index.”
On the international relations front, he maintained calls for the reform of the world body in a way that embraces all represented member states.
“Based on the principles of sovereign equality and independence of States, the United Nations Organization must be fair, just and anchored on multilateralism, inclusivity and transparency, to best, serve the collective interests of all members.
“The reform of the Security Council must be expedited. Equally, my country supports the ongoing efforts to revitalize the General Assembly. The encroachment by other UN organs on the mandate and competence of the General Assembly is of concern.”
President Mnangagwa also spoke on the strides the country has made in the covid-19 vaccination drive and the role of global leaders in mitigating climate change at the upcoming Glasgow conference of COP 26.
He also delved into the entrenchment of democracy, constitutionalism and the rule of law through sound legislation as well as fair and impartial administration of justice, among other issues affecting the global community.
