Story by Abigirl Tembo
DUSHANBE, TAJIKISTAN – SPEAKING to journalists upon arrival in Dushanbe, the capital city of Tajikistan, Vice President General (Rtd) Dr Constantino Chiwenga highlighted Zimbabwe’s commitment to learning from Tajikistan’s experience in leveraging natural resources for national development.
He said, Zimbabwe is strengthening ties with Tajikistan in strategic areas critical to climate adaptation, with a focus on hydropower development, sustainable agriculture, and effective water resource management.
“During our last visit, we saw firsthand what Tajikistan has achieved in energy development. This time, we have brought along the Minister of Energy and Power Development and a team of technical experts to engage directly with their Tajik counterparts on how we can better harness our own water resources especially along our highlands where we have water gushing down into Mozambique and eventually the Indian Ocean. What can be done to utilise this resource more effectively,” Vice President Chiwenga said.
The Vice President’s high-level delegation comprises the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu; Minister of Energy and Power Development, Honourable July Moyo; and the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Ambassador Frederick Shava.
The delegation is expected to hold a series of technical discussions with Tajik officials aimed at exploring formal partnerships in renewable energy, environmental protection, and scientific research.
The bilateral engagement aligns with Zimbabwe’s broader climate diplomacy agenda, which includes preparations to host the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in Victoria Falls this July.
Vice President Chiwenga underscored that the visit signals a shift in Zimbabwe’s climate action strategy towards proactive engagement, international cooperation, and science-led innovation.
“We are now focusing on building resilient and sustainable systems across energy, agriculture, and water sectors to effectively respond to the worsening effects of climate change,” he said.
Zimbabwe continues to experience severe climate-related challenges such as prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall patterns, and increasing pressure on water and energy infrastructure. Through strategic international collaborations such as the one with Tajikistan, the country hopes to advance sustainable development and strengthen its climate resilience.
