Harare, (New Ziana) –The visiting eight-member delegation of permanent representatives to the United Nations on Thursday toured the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Peacekeeping Training Centre and the National Heroes Acre, as well as delivered a lecture at the Zimbabwe National Defence University (ZNDU).
The delegation, is in Zimbabwe for a high-level familiarisation tour ahead of elections for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council to be held in June this year, which Zimbabwe is bidding for, also later paid courtesy call on Foreign Affairs and International Trade Amon Murwira at his Munhumutapa offices.
It comprises Mohamed Rabi Yusuf of Somalia, Taniela Kepa Siose from Tuvalu, Corina Moroi representing Moldova, Lewis Brown II from Liberia, Odo Tevi of Vanuatu, Neil Parsan from Trinidad and Tobago, Stefan Pretterhofer of Austria, and Jorge Eduardo from Portugal.
Speaking after meeting the delegation, which was also expected to meet President Emmerson Mnangagwa later on Friday, Murwira said it had been impressed by its observations, noting Zimbabwe ’s continued commitment to the global organisation.
“Zimbabwe has always been an advocate, a child of the UN family and international solidarity. As a nation, we have been involved in many peacekeeping missions that include operations in Angola, Somalia, South Sudan, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), among others,” he said.
“Previously, we also served in the UN Security Council from 1983 to 1984, and that demonstrates our commitment to its values and dictates,” he added.
Zimbabwe also held another term on the UN Security Council from 1991 to 1992.
Murwira further noted that Zimbabwe is now in a strong position regarding matters of international peace and cooperation.
“Over the years, we have been able to sustain our independence since 1980, and that alone shows that we have mature sovereignty. We have also been able to maintain a very peaceful environment and contribute to the peace within our sub-region and to the world at large.
“We believe that our belief in the United Nations Charter, our belief even according to our Constitution, Chapter 4 of our Constitution directs us that we should contribute to international peace and security, that we should promote international co-existence and that we should promote peaceful resolution of international disputes,” he explained.
He added that Zimbabwe remains dedicated to participating in international organisations that uphold peace and human dignity.
Zimbabwe recently engaged with Pacific and Caribbean nations, including the Solomon Islands and the Republic of Fiji, to garner support for its bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
During the engagements, the delegation conducted several high-level discussions centred on promoting inclusive global governance and strengthening solidarity between landlocked developing countries and Small Island Developing States facing climate-related drought challenges.
Aligned with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS-2), which prioritises peace and a secure international environment for national development, the outreach initiative has succeeded in securing political backing for the country’s candidature for non-permanent UNSC seat.
New Ziana
