1.0 REPORT ON THE EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF THE
COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR DISASTER
RISK MANAGEMENT
Cabinet considered and noted the Report on the Extraordinary Meeting of
the Committee of Ministers Responsible for Disaster Risk Management.
The Meeting deliberated on the full operationalisation of the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) Humanitarian and Emergency
Operations Centre domiciled in the Republic of Mozambique which
coordinates regional disaster risk preparedness, response and support to
Member States affected by disasters.
The Meeting also approved the constitution of the Members of the First
Governing Board of the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations
Centre as well as approval of the Members of the SADC Emergency
Response Team as presented by the Secretariat, as this will facilitate
effective response to the broad range of disasters the region continues to
face.
2.0 REPORT ON THE VISIT TO ZIMBABWE BY THE NAMIBIAN
PRESIDENT, HER EXCELLENCY NETUMBO NANDI-NDAITWAH
ON 20 MAY, 2025
Cabinet received and noted the Report on the visit to Zimbabwe by the
Namibian President, Her Excellency Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on 20 May
2025.
The President, His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa,
received the President of the Republic of Namibia, Her Excellency Dr.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House in Harare on 20 May, 2025.
Zimbabwe and Namibia are desirous to deepen bilateral cooperation, as
evidenced by the elevation of their Joint Permanent Commission on
Cooperation (JPCC) to a Bi-National Commission (BNC). The two nations
committed to ensuring acceleration of implementation of the instruments
of cooperation. On its part, Government of Zimbabwe is committed to
joining the Trans Kalahari Corridor, a transport and trade route that will
contribute to the increase and harmonisation of trade between Zimbabwe
and Namibia, and the Southern African region as a whole. Government
commits to ensuring that the Walvis Bay Dry Port, becomes fully
operational and Zimbabwe will join the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi
Development Corridor connecting Namibia, Zambia and the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC) in a bid to boost trade and enhance regional
integration.
3.0 REPORT ON THE SADC TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION
AREAS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND SUMMIT HELD
ON 23 MAY 2025
Cabinet received and noted the Report of the inaugural SADC Transfrontier
Conservation Areas Summit of Heads of State and Government held on 23
May 2025.
The Summit of Heads of State and Government was preceded by the
meetings of the SADC Council of Ministers; the Committee of Ministers
responsible for Environment, Natural Resources and Tourism; and the
SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas Conference which were held
successively from 19 to 22 May 2025. The Summit was held under the
theme, “SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas: 25 Years of
Cooperation for Regional Integration and Sustainable
Development”, which resonate with national and regional objectives of
building collaboration in the management, conservation and sustainable
use of shared natural resources.
The Summit recognised the contribution of Transfrontier Conservation
Areas to regional integration and sustainable development and identified
areas that require intervention. The Summit urged Member States to
enhance inclusion and participation of rural communities and to develop
effective solutions to address wildlife conflict. The SADC Secretariat was
directed to develop regional guidelines on community engagement and
community based natural resources management.
On a related matter, His Excellency the President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo
Mnangagwa launched the Zimbabwe Carbon Trading Framework and
Carbon Registry on the sidelines of the Summit. As a result, the country is
now assured of attaining fair value for its emission reduction contributions.
4.0 REPORT ON THE VISIT TO THE VATICAN CITY FOR THE
INAUGURAL MASS OF THE HOLY FATHER, HIS HOLINESS
POPE LEO XIV FROM 17 TO 18 MAY 2025
Cabinet received and noted the Report on the visit to the Vatican City for
the Inaugural Mass of the Holy Father, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.
The Vice President, Honourable Gen. (Rtd.) Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga
participated at the Inaugural Mass of the Holy Father, His Holiness Pope
Leo XIV at the Vatican City from 17 to 18 May 2025. The event was graced
by an assembly of world leaders reflecting the global significance of the
Papacy.
The Pope convened a diplomatic audience where he outlined his vision
centred on global solidarity, social equity, climate change and a renewed
partnership with Africa. A strong desire to collaborate with African nations
through multilateral frameworks in key areas like education, youth
empowerment, social development, healthcare, religious tourism, and
cultural diplomacy was emphasised, highlighting an opportunity for
Zimbabwe’s growth and development.
Government acknowledges the ongoing partnerships with the Catholic
Church in the sectors of education and health and is committed to
deepening this collaboration by inviting more proactive support in building
the Zimbabwe Catholic University and financially supporting Catholic
institutions contributing to economic growth particularly in agriculture and
rural industrialisation. The importance of reclaiming and documenting
Zimbabwe’s rich Catholic heritage, specifically the early religious voyages of
the Mutapa Princes, was also underscored.
5.0 REPORT ON THE INNOVATION AFRICA SUMMIT OF
MINISTERS OF EDUCATION, INFORMATION COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY, AND SKILLS HELD IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA FROM 27 TO 30 APRIL 2025
Cabinet received and noted the Report on the Innovation Africa Summit of
Ministers of Education, Information Communication and Technology, and
Skills which was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 27 to 20 April, 2025.
The Innovation Africa Summit was established in 2012 and convenes
Governments, private sector leaders and development partners to align
strategies for transformative education and training systems.
The 14th Session of the Summit was held in Ethiopia under the theme “Educate an
African Fit for the 21st Century”, building on the African Union’s 2024
mandate to foster resilient, inclusive, and digitally enabled education
systems. The objective of the Summit was to address Africa’s education
gaps through public-private partnerships, and the focus areas included
digital transformation, teacher development, equitable access and
alignment with African Union Agenda 2063, Sustainable Development Goal
four (SDG 4), and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (2016
2025).
As a way forward, the Government of Zimbabwe will partner with the
Digital Schools and Global Skilling Academies of the United Arab Emirates
to harness the potential of solar energy, digital education, skills
development, and public-private community partnerships, to drive inclusive
growth in Zimbabwe’s rural communities. Additionally, the Government of
Zimbabwe will further strengthen Competence-Based Education and
Training reforms. More than 10 000 teachers and lecturers will receive
annual training in artificial intelligence and digital literacy.
To promote inclusivity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics (STEM) education, Government will leverage the One Laptop
per Child initiative’s subsidised model. This strategic partnership aims to
provide affordable access to digital learning tools, bridging the gap
between urban and rural areas, and empowering students with the skills
and knowledge necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological
landscape.
Furthermore, concerted efforts will be made to promote STEM inclusivity
for women and girls, ensuring they access equal opportunities to pursue
careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The strategy
will empower women and girls to take up leadership roles in these critical
areas. Notably, Government will establish more ICT manufacturing hubs as
part of the SADC Industrialisation initiative, while also integrating hydrogen
energy and solar-powered technologies into the innovation pillars of the
National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2). The strategic move aims to drive
industrial growth, promote sustainable energy solutions, and foster
innovation in key sectors.
