Story by Josephine Mugiyo, Diplomatic Correspondent
SADC Chairperson President Emmerson Mnangagwa has met with his counterpart, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29) currently underway in Baku.
Zimbabwe and Belarus have strong bilateral ties with President Lukashenko having visited Zimbabwe in 2023.
The two heads of state met behind closed doors.
Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa has joined other world leaders for the official opening of COP 29 at Baku Stadium where 72 000 participants are taking part in this year’s event.
A total of 80 leaders are in attendance as revealed by Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Aliyev as he welcomed delegates.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres who addressed the world leaders said the world must pay up on climate finance or risk humanity paying the price.
This year has been dubbed Finance COP as negotiations and deliberations are focusing on funding to be channelled towards developing countries to enable them to counter the vagaries of climate change.
