Story by Oleen Ndori, Foreign Editor
ZIMBABWE has reaffirmed its commitment to multilateralism, international cooperation and the promotion of global peace and security as the United Nations General Assembly prepares to elect five new non-permanent members of the Security Council on Wednesday.
Zimbabwe is Africa’s sole candidate in the election, which will see seven countries competing for seats on the influential 15-member body. Trinidad and Tobago is representing Latin America and the Caribbean, while the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan are contesting the Asian seat. Austria, Germany and Portugal are vying for representation under the Western European and Others Group (WEOG).
Leading Zimbabwe’s final diplomatic push in New York, President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Special Envoy and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira said the country’s campaign has centred on its long-standing commitment to peace, diplomacy and respect for international law.
“As we came to New York, our strategy was to do bilateral meetings as well as attend receptions by countries that are also putting forward their candidature to the United Nations Security Council. We have so far been able to attend the Security Council meeting itself, hosted by China, and Zimbabwe was able to put forward its views, as well as pitch the bid for our non-permanent seat on the Security Council.
“So, we are very busy canvassing for support and reminding people that Zimbabwe, what Zimbabwe stands for, basically Zimbabwe stands for a peaceful world that respects international law, that is promoting peaceful coexistence among nations, that is promoting diplomacy over confrontation, that is through peaceful resolution of disputes, as demanded by our constitution.
“We are also reiterating our adherence and our faith in the UN Charter. We are making very good progress,” he said.
Professor Murwira said Zimbabwe’s campaign has also highlighted the need for collective international action to address climate change, which he described as a growing threat to global peace and stability.
“As you know, climate change is a new threat to humanity. And we think that small developing island states, such as the ones in the Pacific, such as the ones in the Caribbean, are under threat from climate change.
“But they are not the only ones. Because as climate change affects sea level rise in these regions that I’ve talked about in the Pacific, as well as in the Caribbean, we have increased droughts, increased El Niño effects in southern Africa, and drought frequencies, for example, in Zimbabwe have increased from a cycle of about 10 to 15 years to now about three to five years.
“It means that together, if we want a peaceful world, we must fight the scourge of climate change. And it can only be done in a multilateral environment.”
He said Zimbabwe continues to advocate sovereign equality among nations and believes lasting solutions can only emerge through dialogue and cooperation.
“Zimbabwe believes in the efficacy and sustainability of a multilateral environment where nations sit together on a table and speak. And this can only be achieved when we respect the sovereign equality of states.
“One hundred and ninety-three states of the United Nations, there are no big states or small states, but equal members at the table… The progress that we are making is very steady, and we are looking forward to a good election,” said Professor Murwira.
Trade and economic cooperation have also featured prominently in Zimbabwe’s campaign message, with the country positioning commerce as a catalyst for peace and stability.
“We are following the exact map as approved by His Excellency President Dr Mnangagwa, that map of pitching Zimbabwe as a friend to all and an enemy to none, and Zimbabwe that is open for business.
“Why do we always talk about open for business? Because poverty is normally the root cause of many conflicts. And Zimbabwe takes trade as an instrument of peace.
“So, whenever we are pitching our case, we are talking about friend to all, enemy to none. And Zimbabwe is open for business because trade, it is the centre for diplomacy. If we can trade, we build trust among nations, and then we are able to have a more peaceful world. A more peaceful world is a trading world,” he said.
The election will be conducted through a secret ballot in the UN General Assembly Hall on Wednesday. Candidates require a two-thirds majority of member states present and voting to secure election.
Successful candidates will begin their two-year terms on 1 January 2027, joining permanent members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, as well as current non-permanent members Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Latvia and Liberia.
