Story by Abigirl Tembo
DUSHANBE, TAJIKISTAN – VICE President General (Rtd) Dr Constantino Chiwenga has urged the global community to strengthen solidarity in addressing the climate crisis, warning that the devastating effects of climate change transcend national boundaries and demand a coordinated international response.
Speaking at a High-Level International Conference on Glacier Preservation, officially opened by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Vice President Chiwenga said even nations without glaciers such as Zimbabwe are already experiencing severe consequences of global warming.
He cited the recent El Niño-induced drought during the 2023/2024 rainfall season, the worst in Zimbabwe in over four decades as a stark example of the far-reaching effects of glacial melt and shifting atmospheric patterns.
“According to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, the rapid melting of glaciers accelerates unpredictable weather patterns, worsening the occurrence of droughts and floods across the World. Zimbabwe, for instance, endured an El Niño-induced drought during the 2023/2024 rainfall season,p!]0+.! our most severe in over four decades. Across the African continent, climate-induced glacier melt is projected to diminish Gross Domestic Product by up to 3% by 2050. Preserving glaciers is, therefore, not merely an environmental imperative but safeguarding the stability of the global water cycle and ensuring our collective climate resilience,” Vice President Chiwenga said.
He highlighted Zimbabwe’s ongoing climate adaptation initiatives, including the construction of dams to improve national water harvesting capacity, sustainable groundwater exploitation to support rural communities, adoption of conservation agriculture in low-rainfall regions, promotion of drought-tolerant crops and livestock breeds, mainstreaming climate change adaptation across all government and local authority programmes.
Vice President Chiwenga reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to multilateral climate action and expressed hope that the Dushanbe Glaciers High-Level Declaration, expected to be adopted at the conclusion of the conference, would galvanise further momentum ahead of COP30 in Brazil later this year.
Also addressing the gathering, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Ms Amina Mohammed warned of the alarming rate of glacier loss worldwide.
“Between 2022 and 2024, the world experienced the largest three-year glacier mass loss ever recorded. At this rate, many glaciers may not survive this century. This is not just a mountain issue it is a global emergency with serious consequences for water security, agriculture, biodiversity, and human survival,” she said.
She underscored the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, particularly in developing countries, where melting glaciers are leading to water scarcity, worsening poverty, and forced displacement.
Vice President Chiwenga also used the platform to invite delegates to attend the upcoming Ramsar COP15 on Wetlands, to be hosted in Victoria Falls from 23rd to 31st July 2025. The event is expected to further galvanise global support for nature-based climate solutions.
As the world inches closer to the next United Nations Climate Change Conference, Zimbabwe continues to position itself as a proactive voice for climate adaptation, resilience, and sustainable development.
