Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
THE United Nations has noted with concern the negative impact of illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe’s quest to attain sustainable development goals (SDGs), with the country having lost over US$40 billion due to the illegal embargo.
A Sustainable Development Goals mid-year review workshop held in Mutare this Thursday saw UN Resident Coordinator, His Excellency Edward Kallon noting the negative impact of illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States and its Western Allies.
“There is a need to unlock the financial landscape for SDGs implementation. This remains a major challenge for the country on sanctions for over two decades with an estimated loss of over 42 billion dollars as a result of unilateral cohesive measures. There is light at the end of the tunnel. You are all aware of the ongoing efforts on arrear clearance and debt resolution higher-level dialogue that started this year.
“I strongly feel that the debt relief efforts will unlock funding which would be followed by Foreign Direct Investments and complement government systems to accelerate the implementation of SDGs. Zimbabwe can do more especially if the unilateral measures are removed.
“This is an elephant in the room and the world needs to unlock opportunities for Zimbabwe to be able to reproduce here self. If Zimbabwe is allowed to reproduce itself it can underweight all its debts,” he said.
He also hailed the Second Republic’s massive strides in infrastructural development and food security, among other positives.
“Zimbabwe has done well in the area of food security and should continue with the efforts. The country should continue implementing inclusive economic growth. In the education sector, there is a need to advance education 5.0. I have travelled the breadth of this country and in every corner of this country they are schools, and we see children going to school,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Mr Samson Masanga highlighted the progress that has been made in implementing the SDGs road map ahead of a review summit set for September.
“Government has submitted proposals to present our 3rd Voluntary National Review after the first and the second were presented in 2017 and 2021, respectively. Let me implore all of us here, on the need to start working towards national development. I am happy that the UN is noting progress we have recorded as a country,” he said.
The government of Zimbabwe is collaborating with the UN and its agencies in the quest to improve the livelihoods of the citizenry.