Story by Memory Chamisa
ZIMBABWE and Italy have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in environmental conservation and youth empowerment in climate change mitigation programmes.
Italy played a significant role in Zimbabwe’s infrastructure development soon after independence, and relations between the two countries have since grown steadily.
The European nation has now become a key partner in Zimbabwe’s climate change mitigation efforts, youth-focused initiatives and environmental conservation projects.
This week, the Italian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Giuseppe Giacalone, paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, where the two discussed areas of cooperation and reviewed ongoing programmes, including the Miombo forest project along the Zimbabwe-Mozambique border.
Ambassador Giacalone said Italy remains committed to supporting Zimbabwe, particularly in empowering young people to tackle climate change.
“We hope to renew our support and also to increase it. This is just one example, and of course, Italy, the Italian Government, is strongly committed to assisting young generations to face climate change, both bilaterally and multilaterally. In some projects in the country, for example, in the Miombo forest at the border with Mozambique, we have been supporting this initiative in recent years and will continue to do so until the end.
“We also discussed with the Minister possibilities to strengthen our bilateral cooperation, not only in this specific sector but also in general trade relations. Engagements with Zimbabwean authorities have opened avenues to deepen cooperation beyond environmental programmes,” he said.
Dr Ndlovu highlighted the strong bilateral ties between the two nations, noting the significant financial support Zimbabwe has received towards environmental conservation.
“Since independence, we have had good relations with Italy, and we continue to support each other politically at the United Nations and beyond. We have received a €1.5 million facility from Italy to conserve the Miombo woodlands at the border with Mozambique. Mozambique was also funded in a similar way, so we truly appreciate the relationship we have.
“They have been supporting the Zimbabwean people in terms of climate change mitigation. We agreed that we are going to continue working together to empower our young people, because they are the future leaders who will look after our environment and climate,” she said.
Zimbabwe and Italy continue to cooperate at a multilateral level, including within the United Nations framework.
The renewed engagement is expected to strengthen climate resilience efforts while creating opportunities for expanded trade and investment between the two countries.
