Story by Memory Chamisa
Zimbabwe has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the recent High Level Political Forum (HLPF) held in New York.
According to the Sustainable Development Goals 2024 Report, only 17 percent of SDGs targets are on track to date.
It is reported that climate change has exacerbated challenges, impacting food security, marine ecosystems, and the livelihoods of millions.
Addressing the High level Political Forum 2024 in New York, the Minister of Public Service Labour and Social Welfare Honourable July Moyo outlined Zimbabwe’s progress in meeting the targets.
The 2024 Voluntary National Review (VNR) is our 3rd and marks a significant milestone in our nation’s resolute journey towards sustainable development. Food insecurity notably decreased from 56% to 26% in rural areas and 42% to 29% in urban areas from 2020 to 2023 as a result of the El Nino-induced induced Drought,” he outlined.
The Minister of Finance and Investment Promotion Professor Mtuli Ncube, who was chairing the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, stressed the need for debt suspension for African countries that are reeling under the vagaries of climate change, which has drawn back progress on attaining targets on SDGs.
Professor Ncube called for debt relief to enable nations to better address the SDGs.
“Most African countries will not be able to meet the targets as we are seized with debts that we have accrued in mitigating the impact of climate change and the consequences that have seen our nations reeling under. There is need to consider forgoing of debts that most have to enable them to have a better chance in meeting some of the SDGS that are crucial to the development and wellbeing of our people,” he said.
The Forum, which was running under the theme; “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises, resolved to reinvigorate multilateralism, boost implementation of existing commitments and launched the first UN system-wide strategy on water and sanitation together with the 2024 Global Report on Climate and SDGs Synergy.
