Zimbabwe Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday claimed the country’s efforts to achieve Agenda 2030 goals were being hampered by economic sanctions imposed by the West.
In a speech read on his behalf by Minister of Information, Christopher Mushowe, at a function to mark the United Nations’s 71st anniversary in Harare, Mnangagwa said the country was doing its best despite the limited fiscal space.
“His excellency, President Robert Mugabe, noted in his address at the United Nations General Assembly that the 16 years of illegal sanctions are hurting the economy and constraining Zimbabwe’s ability to achieve Agenda 2030 goals,” he said.
Mnangagwa said, however, that the country had registered significant progress in some of the Sustainable Development Goals such as universal primary education, gender equality and women empowerment.
“Going forward, Zimbabwe needs to focus on inclusive economic growth and rural development to reduce poverty,” he said.
United Nations Resident Coordinator, Bishow Parajuli, said respect for rule of law and human rights were key in achieving sustainable development, adding SDGs could be achieved even under difficult circumstances.
“Achieving the SDGs, particularly ending poverty is possible even under difficult conditions if we focus on building resilience, invest in rural communities and empower the youth to harness the demographic dividend,” he said.
He encouraged other stakeholders to partner government in its programmes.
