By Zachary Gava
Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe is set to undertake its Fourth Voluntary National Review (VNR) of progress towards implementing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with the country expected to present its findings at the 2027 United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
The move was approved by Cabinet on Tuesday as Zimbabwe continues to fulfil its international and multilateral obligations while assessing national progress towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Announcing the Cabinet decision at a post-Cabinet media briefing, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Zhemu Soda said the review would provide an important opportunity for the country to assess its progress, identify challenges and strengthen implementation of the global development agenda.
“In fulfilment of Zimbabwe’s international multi-lateral obligations, Cabinet considered and approved the Request for the Country to Undertake its Fourth Voluntary National Review on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the 2027 United Nations High-Level Political Forum,” Minister Soda said.
The request was presented to Cabinet by the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Edgar Moyo.
Zimbabwe will subsequently present its progress review at the 2027 United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which is convened under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
The VNR process is a key mechanism through which countries voluntarily assess and report on their progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda, while also sharing experiences and lessons with the international community.
The 2030 Agenda, adopted by United Nations member states, is anchored on 17 SDGs covering areas including poverty eradication, health, education, gender equality, decent work, environmental protection and sustainable economic development.
With 2030 fast approaching, the review will provide Zimbabwe with an opportunity to take stock of gains made so far, identify areas requiring greater attention and align development policies and interventions with outstanding SDG targets.
Minister Soda said regular and inclusive national reviews were important in strengthening policy implementation and ensuring that challenges and emerging priorities were properly identified.
“Regular and inclusive Voluntary National Reviews assess progress in implementing the SDGs, identifying challenges and emerging priorities, sharing lessons learnt and strengthening Policy implementation,” he said.
The Government is also calling for broad participation in the review process, in line with its Whole-of-Society Approach, which seeks to ensure that national development processes involve citizens and different sectors of society.
Minister Soda urged citizens to give the VNR process priority, describing it as the country’s principal national reporting mechanism on implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
“In the spirit of the Whole-of-Society Approach, all citizens are called upon to accord the Voluntary National Review process priority as the country’s principal national reporting mechanism on implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” he said.
The fourth review is therefore expected to go beyond measuring progress against global targets, providing an opportunity for Government, civil society, the private sector, development partners and citizens to collectively reflect on Zimbabwe’s development trajectory and contribute to priorities for the remaining period of the 2030 Agenda.
New Ziana
