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Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter

THE United Nations is rallying behind Zimbabwe for the unequivocal removal of Western imposed sanctions, as they are detrimental to the country’s development.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ambassador Dr Frederick Shava, who was attending the high-level meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Operational Activities for Development Segment (OAS), which ended on Thursday, held a sideline meeting with UN Secretary General Mr António Guterres who threw his weight behind Zimbabwe in its fight against the punitive measures.

Dr Shava said Mr Guterres conveyed his message of support to President Mnangagwa and the generality of Zimbabweans. In turn, he said he had apprised the UN on the conducive working relationship between Zimbabwe and the UN resident coordinator in the country.

“While attending the Segment, I had the opportunity to pay a courtesy call on the UN Secretary General Mr Antonio Guterres,” said Dr Shava. “The Secretary General conveyed support for Zimbabwe in its fight against the unjust sanctions, and asked me to convey best wishes to His Excellency the President Dr Emmerson D. Mnangagwa.

“I expressed satisfaction with Zimbabwe’s working relationship with the UN and the resident coordinator and my support for the reform process he is undertaking. 

“I took advantage of the platform to emphasise that the continued imposition of illegal and unwarranted sanctions on Zimbabwe by some members of the international community continued to undermine our national efforts to achieve our development agenda, and the implementation of the SDGs.”

Dr Shava said he had also informed the UN about how preparations for the impending elections were going, while also reiterating President Mnangagwa’s invitation to Mr Guterres to visit Zimbabwe and witness the milestones that the Second Republic had achieved. 

 “I took advantage of the meeting to apprise Secretary-General Guterres on preparations for the upcoming harmonised elections, scheduled for August 2023d.

“I renewed the invitation extended by HE the President, Dr Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, to Secretary-General Guterres to visit Zimbabwe at some point, to come and see and appreciate the efforts being undertaken by the Second Republic, to foster socio-economic development and peaceful co-existence to eradicate poverty.” 

The UN, said Dr Shava, had expressed its commitment to the success of Zimbabwe’s arrears clearance and debt resolution.

“I also briefed the Segment on Zimbabwe’s Structured Dialogue Platform on Arrears Clearance and Debt Resolution Strategy.”

“The fact that the UN co-chaired the pillar on land tenure and compensation of former farm owners attests to its commitment to complement our efforts to uplift the lives of our people.” 

The ECOSOC OAS meets annually to provide overall coordination and guidance to the United Nations development system.