Story by Farai Gwaze
DIPLOMATS accredited to Zimbabwe have commended the country for the successful implementation of the first phase of the National Development Strategy (NDS1) and the launch of the second phase, NDS2, expressing confidence in Zimbabwe’s prospects of attaining upper-middle-income status by 2030.
Members of the Diplomatic Corps made the remarks during a diplomatic tour of accommodation facilities and a year-end engagement held in Eastlea, Harare, on Wednesday, which also provided an opportunity to reflect on bilateral cooperation and development progress recorded during 2025.
Several diplomats praised Zimbabwe’s policy consistency and commitment to development reforms under NDS1, which has now laid the foundation for the next phase of the national development blueprint.
“Zimbabwe is doing very well, it has completed the first phase of its National Development Strategy and is now on phase two. I believe in the efforts of the government to ensure that they accomplish that status to bring Zimbabwe to the level that will benefit every citizen, to uplift the citizens from poverty to an upper middle income level,” Ghana Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellence Bonaventure Adjavor said.
“I congratulate Zimbabwe for making a great effort and having a good performance. The will of the government and the people together is an achievement, and I hope you will get it for your benefit as you deserve it,” Cuban Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Her Excellency, Susellys Perez Mesa, stated.
“Congratulations to Zimbabwe for completing NDS1 and also for launching the NDS2 blueprint, with ambitious projects and important areas taken into consideration. I am so proud to be here for more than three years and seeing how Zimbabwe is going in the right direction to develop Serbia, I am very keen to cooperate with Zimbabwe,” Serbia Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Mr Radiša Grujić said.
Organisers of the event have acknowledged the efforts of the Diplomatic Corps to uplift livelihoods in various communities around the country.
“The main purpose of this event was to say thank you to the diplomatic community and the business community who have been working. Most of these embassies have been helping us reach out to communities, impact our communities positively, and maybe build bridges between Zimbabweans and other countries,” Diplomat Media & Business Networking Club, Executive Director, Reginald Chapfunga said.
The country’s efforts to attain an upper-middle-income society status by 2030 continue to receive international support, with NDS2 set to consolidate gains achieved during the first phase of the blueprint.
