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Minister Walter Mzembi

Samantha Chigogo Herald Correspondent
ZIMBABWE has approached the African Union seeking support for Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Dr Walter Mzembi’s candidature for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation secretary-general post.

sadc has since endorsed Dr Mzembi’s candidature and the country is confident of getting support from the AU.

Addressing a press conference in Harare yesterday, Dr Mzembi said requisite documents have since been lodged at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“Since the inception of the Organisation in 1957, only two regions have never held the position of secretary-general that is Africa and Asia,” he said.

“Asia, however, has held and currently still holds the top positions in a number of United Nations agencies — including, of course, the post of Secretary-General of the United Nations organisation itself, so it is now Africa’s time to seek this post.”

Dr Mzembi said deployment of an African to the UNWTO top position would help boost tourism on the continent.

He said Zimbabwe was confident of securing AU’s support.

“The next objective must be to seek endorsement of the candidature by the African Union so that this candidate officially becomes Africa’s candidate,” he said.

“I am pleased to share with you the fact that the requisite documentation has already been filed with the AU’s candidature committee in Addis Ababa and that we are confident of securing AU endorsement during the course of the forthcoming AU Summit in Kigali, Rwanda in July.”

Dr Mzembi said the country would also reap huge benefits if he lands the top post.

“This will be the highest diplomatic deployment for the country and it comes with so many advantages such as creating a safe space for the country and promoting international engagements and domestic tourism at large,” he said.

“With specific regard to tourism in Africa, I am pleased to say that, under my chairmanship and on the basis of intensive engagement with the AU Commission chair, we have successfully lobbied for tourism, which is notably absent from Africa’s Agenda 2063 — to henceforth be fully integrated therein,” he said.

Dr Mzembi said the AU Commission was in the process of developing a continental tourism policy.

He said the media should act responsibly in promoting Brand Zimbabwe.

“Going further, however, I must appeal to you to do your utmost, through your reporting and editorial thrust, to portray Zimbabwe in a more accurate manner,” said Dr Mzembi.

“Desist from conveying the impression of a country in conflict, or at odds with itself and to focus more on our attributes and achievements as a people than on the negatives, you are important, unavoidable stakeholders.”

The post falls vacant at the end of next year, but the election of the new secretary-general takes place in May 2017.