In a pivotal moment for Zimbabwe’s future, His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa today officially launched the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2) for the period 2026-2030 at State House, Harare. This over 600-page comprehensive blueprint is set to guide the nation's journey towards an empowered and prosperous upper middle-income society by 2030, building on the foundations laid by its predecessor, NDS 1. The launch was met with endorsement from the United Nations, with Mr. Edward Kallon, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, affirming the UN’s unwavering support.The ceremony brought together a distinguished array of dignitaries, including Vice President Retired General Dr. C.D.G.N. Chiwenga, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Honourable Professor Mthuli Ncube, and other Cabinet Ministers, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr. Martin Rushwaya, senior government officials, as well as representatives from the Diplomatic Corps, UN, development partners, civil society, and industry. The atmosphere was one of palpable optimism and collective resolve for the nation's strategic direction.President Mnangagwa, in his keynote speech, underscored that NDS 2 is a product of extensive, broad-based national consultations, embodying the voices, hopes, and aspirations of all Zimbabweans. He lauded the "unity of purpose and focus" demonstrated by stakeholders across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies during its formulation, emphasizing the guiding principle of inclusivity and the national mantra of "leaving no one and no place behind."“Well done, Makorokoto. Amhlophe,” the President commended, acknowledging the diligent work. He further said that the strategy aligns with the national development philosophy: “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo” (A country is built, governed, and prayed for by its people), signifying a commitment to self-reliance and shared responsibility.Mr. Edward Kallon, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator echoed this sentiment, expressing profound gratitude for the Government of Zimbabwe's "exemplary and open engagement." He highlighted the "comprehensive and inclusive approach" with extensive consultations, including in-person meetings in Kadoma and subsequent engagements that gathered inputs from diverse groups: bilateral and multilateral development partners, captains of industry, civil society, NGOs, youth, traditional and religious leaders, and crucially, persons with disabilities. This "Whole Government and Society" approach, Mr. Kallon noted, ensures the blueprint truly reflects national aspirations.Pillars of Progress: The 10 National Priorities. President Mnangagwa detailed the ten overarching objectives that form the bedrock of NDS 2, designed to foster socio-economic transformation across all sectors:Macro-economic Stability: Sustaining a predictable environment for investment, innovation, productivity, and resilience, while deepening the financial sector for resource mobilization and financial inclusion.Economic Transformation: Shifting from a primary commodity-based economy to a diversified, broad-based, modern upper middle-income country through accelerated value addition and beneficiation.Infrastructure Development: Building a strong, modern, and resilient infrastructure backbone (energy, transport, ICT, water, sanitation, housing) to support productivity and sustainable socio-economic development.Agricultural Productivity and Food Security: Increasing agricultural output for food and nutrition security, promoting sustainable agro-processing value chains, strengthening climate resilience, and environmental sustainability.Science, Technology and Innovation: Promoting human capital development for a knowledge-driven, digitally enabled economy.Devolution and Decentralization: Strengthening these principles to promote equitable and inclusive national development.Job Creation and Empowerment: Accelerating job creation, youth development, entrepreneurship, and growing the sport, creative, and cultural industries.Social Development: Enhancing universal access to quality health, education, and other social services.Brand Zimbabwe and International Relations: Strengthening international relations, attracting foreign direct investment, promoting tourism, and advancing diplomatic and trade development.Good Governance and Security: Consolidating unity, peace, and social cohesion through robust governance and security institutions.These priorities, the President stated, are meticulously aligned with regional, continental, and global development frameworks, including the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan, African Union Agenda 2063, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.Mr. Kallon affirmed the UN's commitment, stating, "The United Nations firmly believes that this National Development Strategy 2 is a robust national blueprint that we are proud to align with." He confirmed that NDS 2 will form the bedrock for both the current Zimbabwe-UN Cooperation Framework (ending 2026) and the upcoming Zimbabwe UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2027-2030).Highlighting past support, Mr. Kallon revealed that the UN has disbursed an average of $500 million annually over the past three years, totaling a remarkable $1.5 billion by early 2025, in support of NDS 1, showcasing a tangible commitment to Zimbabwe’s development aspirations.Going forward, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator outlined critical areas for effective NDS 2 implementation:Financing Framework: Developing a comprehensive multi-year financing framework beyond the national budget, exploring diverse sources like thematic bonds, climate financing, and domestic/regional/global resources.Debt and Arrears Resolution: Emphasizing that resolving ongoing discussions on debt and arrears is paramount to unlocking vital new financing avenues.Communication Strategy: Implementing a robust media, communications, and publicity strategy with a costed action plan to mobilize communities and foster widespread understanding and ownership.Coordination Mechanisms: Enhancing development coordination at national, thematic, and sectoral levels, supported by regular and predictable scheduling.Partnership Strengthening: Revamping the Development Partners Policy Dialogue to facilitate effective and efficient implementation.The United Nations System in Zimbabwe congratulated the Government of Zimbabwe on the launch of the NDS 2 as a landmark achievement, crediting it to exceptional leadership and broad-based collaboration. The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in his vote of thanks congratulated His Excellency President Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa for his visionary guidance and paid tribute to Dr. Martin Rushwaya, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, and the entire OPC team for their tireless work. Special recognition was also given to Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion Minister Hon. Prof. Mthuli Ncube, his team, the Permanent Secretaries, and the Governor and staff of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for co-chairing the wide-ranging consultations across the strategy’s ten priority areas. The UN Resident Coordinator further acknowledged the substantive input and financial support from UN agencies and the consistent engagement and technical and financial contributions of the Zimbabwe Development Partners Forum. “Together,” Mr. Kallon affirmed, “we can and will realize the ambitious goals of NDS 2 — steering Zimbabwe toward its 2030 vision of becoming an upper middle-income society while fulfilling the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, AU Agenda 2063 and the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan.”President Mnangagwa officially launched the NDS 2 with a call to action: "I call upon all the people of our motherland, Zimbabwe, inclusive of development partners, to put shoulder on the wheel and rally behind this transformational National Development Strategy 2." He highlighted the potential of leveraging domestic resource endowments, the hardworking nature of the people, the ingenuity of the youth, and the invaluable role of the diaspora, asserting that "nothing in this Plan is impossible."With NDS 2 officially launched, Zimbabwe embarks on a new chapter, driven by a clear vision, inclusive participation, and strong international partnerships. The ambition is high, the blueprint is comprehensive, and the collective resolve to achieve an upper middle-income society by 2030 is stronger. President Mnangagwa declared, "A brighter and more prosperous future is certain."  The NDS2 document is available HERE 

24 November 2025, Harare — Urgency and determination marked the national Gender Based Violence Symposium and the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on 22 November at the Harare International Conference Centre. Government leaders, diplomats, UN representatives, development partners, civil society, traditional and religious leaders, and survivors convened at the National Gender Based Violence Symposium to assess progress, confront emerging threats and map a coordinated path forward — with particular focus on the digital sphere.Framed by the rallying call “UNite to end digital violence against all women and girls,” the symposium opened with a recorded keynote by His Excellency Dr. Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe. The President acknowledged gains while stressing unfinished work, “We are determined to realize an environment that is just and free of Gender Based-Violence for women, men, girls and boys… the High-Level Political Compact, policies and frameworks to end gender-based violence and protect women’s rights are all aligned to our National Development Strategies towards Vision 2030.” He highlighted legal and policy advances, including the National GBV Response and Prevention Strategy (2023–2030) and efforts to mainstream gender across government, but conceded that “much more needs to be done.”Speakers placed Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) at the center of national concern. Mr. Edward Kallon, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, described digital violence as “real violence,” noting harms that reverberate offline — mental health impacts, economic exclusion, silencing of journalists and political actors, and erosion of civic participation.Recent data underline the scale and character of the problem. A 2025 UNESCO/MISA report found 63% of women journalists in Zimbabwe had experienced TFGBV. A national survey by Emthonjei Women’s Forum reported 75% of respondents had faced digital abuse in the past year, with more than half of perpetrators strangers and platforms like Facebook and X commonly cited. Patterns vary by age: children and adolescents face grooming, child sexual abuse material and technology-enabled child marriage; adolescent girls encounter harassment that affects schooling and social life; adult women endure workplace harassment and intimate-partner digital abuse; older women are vulnerable to financial and caregiving-related exploitation.Policy progress, including laws, strategy and institutions Zimbabwe’s policy environment has made meaningful advances. The Cyber and Data Protection Act criminalizes forms of TFGBV — online harassment, image-based abuse and cyberbullying — and provides measures for investigation and handling digital evidence. The National Strategy to Prevent and Address GBV (2023–2030) explicitly recognizes TFGBV as an emerging issue, and the government has established a High-Level Political Compact (HLPC) to coordinate GBV efforts across sectors.At the launch, Deputy Minister Jennifer Mhlanga framed GBV as both a human-rights and an economic crisis, citing a government-commissioned economic costing study — conducted with the World Bank, UNFPA and NYU— whose preliminary findings      underscore how the economic cost of GBV, 3.87% of the GDP, has a significant impact on the national economy. It drains household incomes, reduces labour productivity, increases health and social service costs and impedes national development — making investment in prevention and response a fiscal as well as moral imperative. Despite progress, persistent gaps were highlighted:Underreporting and weak data systems has made GBV, including TFGBV, remains poorly measured in many national surveys. ZIMSTATS is introducing a TFGBV module, but data collection, analysis and use must be expanded.Enforcement and access to justice with existing laws and robust policy frameworks, yet implementation, prosecution and survivor-centred processes are inconsistent across provinces.Funding shortfalls requiring for sustained domestic financing are limited; prevention and multi-sectoral response services remain donor dependent.The need for an accountability platform and digital literacy. Private technology platforms often lack locally appropriate redress and moderation; digital safety education is insufficiently scaled.Addressing social norms and harmful practices in line with legal and policy frameworks. Deep-rooted gender norms continue to enable violence and limit women’s leadership and economic opportunities, requiring consistent alignment of norms and legal frameworks.Financing, innovations and partnerships Speakers urged diversified financing. Under the EU and SDC funded UN Joint programme ‘Sustaining the Gains’, the UN and partners committed to build on the economic cost study to build a comprehensive GBV Investment Case including financing models.The symposium spotlighted private-sector and civil-society efforts, including the ‘We Are One Fund’ led by the Sivio Institute to mobilize Zimbabwean-led resources for survivors and community-led responses.Frontline workers and survivors’ advocates stressed gaps in evidence collection and the emotional toll of support work, underscoring the need for training in digital evidence handling and survivor-centred care.What’s working:Multisectoral coordination under the National GBV Response and Prevention Strategy is improving referral pathways between health, justice, social services and shelters in some provinces.Legal reform, including the Cyber and Data Protection Act and other GBV-related statutes, provides tools to pursue online abusers.Data momentum with ZIMSTATS’ planned TFGBV module and the economic-costing study are important steps toward evidence-based policy advocacy.Community engagement with traditional leaders, religious institutions and women’s coalitions increasingly support prevention and survivor reintegration in some areas.Priority actions going forward Delegates converged on urgent priorities:Scale and sustain survivor-centred services (health, psychosocial, legal aid, shelters) with stable domestic financing.Strengthen enforcement by capacitating police, prosecutors and the judiciary to handle TFGBV and digital evidence sensitively and effectively.Expand data systems for regular      GBV measurement and reporting; use economic-costing evidence to advocate for budget allocations.Boost platform and private-sector accountability through negotiation mechanisms for faster takedown, data preservation for investigations, and local moderation capacity.Mainstream digital safety education into school curricula, workplace codes and community training.Invest in prevention by shifting resources upstream to social norms change, community mobilization, and programmes engaging men and boys.A cautious but resolute outlook Zimbabwe’s GBV response is at a pivotal moment. Legal frameworks, national strategies and political commitment are stronger than in past decades; alignment of GBV action with Vision 2030 signals intent to integrate gender justice into national development. Yet technology-enabled violence exposes vulnerabilities in data, enforcement and resources.Progress requires sustained political will, sufficient funding, private-sector cooperation, reliable data, and the input of survivors and frontline workers. Stories from UN-supported programs, including one-stop centers, demonstrate how coordinated support helps survivors reclaim safety, seek justice, and rebuild livelihoods — and underscore that complacency is unaffordable: every unresolved case erodes dignity, potential, and national prosperity. “We must recommit, act, invest and maintain solidarity,” UN Resident Coordinator Edward Kallon urged delegates, calling for solidarity to be translated into laws enforced, budgets allocated and communities transformed. If Zimbabwe meets this moment with sustained, multi-sectoral action, the 16 Days of Activism can be a catalyst for measurable reductions in violence and a tangible expansion of rights, safety and opportunity for women and girls across the country.Ms. Lourdes Chamorro, Chargé d’affaires and Deputy Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Zimbabwe, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment and detailed its support. “On behalf of the European Union, I am honoured to join you today for this important national commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,” she said, calling the event “a moment to stand together, honour the courage of survivors, and reaffirm our shared commitment to a Zimbabwe and a world free from violence.”Ms. Chamorro commended Zimbabwe’s constitutional and legislative advances — citing the Domestic Violence Act, the National GBV Strategy and the High-Level Political Compact — and welcomed the President’s declaration of GBV as a national emergency. She emphasized the EU’s own frameworks, including the Istanbul Convention, the EU Gender Equality Strategy and the 2024 Directive on Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, as instruments advancing prevention, protection and prosecution.Highlighting Team Europe’s investments, she noted that the EU, its Member States and institutions, joined by Switzerland under the Team Europe Initiative on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, “have collectively committed more than €300M towards advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment between 2021 and 2027.”She introduced the newly signed Sustaining the Gains programme (October 2025), jointly funded by the EU and Switzerland with a budget of USD 4.5 million, implemented with the Ministry of Women Affairs and four UN agencies. The programme aims to consolidate and scale up Spotlight Initiative gains — from equipping the forensic laboratory at ZRP Headquarters to strengthen evidence collection in rape cases, to supporting the enactment of the Marriages Act, establishing Safe Markets in Epworth and Umzingwane, and expanding national GBV hotlines.On the economic-costing study, Ms. Chamorro stressed its significance by quantifying the financial burden of violence — “from healthcare and social services to absenteeism, reduced productivity, high staff turnover, and legal costs” — the study moves the conversation beyond moral duty to economic reality. “For policy makers and the private sector alike, the message is clear, the cost of inaction far exceeds the cost of prevention,” she said, underscoring global and regional figures she cited: the World Bank’s estimate of losses up to 3.7% of GDP due to violence against women, and the EU’s annual cost estimate of EUR 289 billion.Addressing digital threats, Ms. Chamorro affirmed that “digital spaces should expand possibility, not reproduce inequality.” She warned that online harassment, cyberstalking, doxing, non-consensual sharing of intimate content, disinformation and incitement disproportionately affect women and girls, and that online abuse often spills into real-world harm. The EU’s commitment, she said, includes support for accountability mechanisms, helplines, digital literacy and strengthened reporting channels, working in partnership with government, UN agencies and civil society.Ms. Chamorro called for a broad coalition, “Ending GBV — whether at home, in communities, workplaces, or online — requires all of us. Government, development partners, civil society, the private sector, traditional and community leadership, parents, youth, and individuals, we must all play our part.” She urged safeguarding gains, pushing back against rollbacks in gender equality, prioritizing prevention, protection and justice, and recognizing that advancing women’s rights is “not only morally right — it is smart economics.” She wished delegates productive discussions and a successful validation of the economic-costing study, while reaffirming the EU’s readiness to continue supporting Zimbabwe’s efforts to end violence against women and girls in all its forms.     "The national launch of the 16 Days of Activism is a critical moment to confront the emerging crisis of digital violence and reinforce the urgency of our national response. The preliminary findings from the economic costing study - which UNFPA was proud to support - is clear: Gender-Based Violence is not only a human rights crisis, but an economic drain that impedes development. We must treat investment in prevention and survivor-centred services as both a moral and fiscal imperative for national development,” said UNFPA Representative Ms. Miranda Tabifor.As delegates at the Harare symposium emphasized, progress will depend on sustained political will, adequate financing, private-sector cooperation, quality data and the voices of survivors and frontline actors. They also underline why Zimbabwe cannot afford complacency as every unaddressed case is a loss of dignity, potential and national prosperity.“We must recommit, act, invest and maintain solidarity,” the UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Edward Kallon called on delegates, echoing a wider chorus. Ending GBV in Zimbabwe — online and offline — will require that solidarity translated into laws enforced, budgets allocated and communities transformed.If Zimbabwe meets this moment with sustained, multi-sectoral action, the 16 Days of Activism will remain more than a calendar event; it will be a catalyst for measurable reductions in violence and a tangible expansion of rights, safety and opportunity for women and girls across the country.

More than 250 diplomats, development partners, civil-society leaders and young changemakers gathered to mark 80 years of the United Nations under the theme “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights.”The event blended appeals for renewed multilateralism, international cooperation and justice with calls for inclusion and stronger partnerships, closing on a celebratory note as Feli Nandi and her band turned reflection into a vibrant tribute to eight decades of service to people and the planet.In a keynote that doubled as tribute and blueprint, Honourable Professor Dr. Amnon Murwira, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, said Zimbabwe’s foreign policy is rooted in its Constitution and a people-centred “Doctrine of Foreign Relations and International Trade,” encapsulated by the maxim “A Friend to All and Enemy to None.” He argued diplomacy should be judged by its tangible benefits to citizens.Using the UN’s eight-decade history, Honourable Murwira pressed for a UN “match fit” for climate shocks, digital disruption and proliferating conflicts; a reformed, inclusive international financial architecture to close the SDG financing gap; and Security Council reform that gives Africa rightful representation. He urged operationalizing the Pact for the Future through finance, technology transfer and predictable partnerships, reiterated Zimbabwe’s support for the Paris Agreement and the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities, and called on developed countries to honor climate finance pledges and support concessional finance and de‑risking instruments.The Minister set a development agenda tied to national priorities, including trade and investment, technology transfer, climate‑smart agriculture, renewable energy, water infrastructure, social protection, and empowerment of women, youth and persons with disabilities — framing these as the practical outcomes diplomacy must deliver.In a video message on UN Day, UN Secretary‑General António Guterres said “We the peoples” is a living promise of the UN Charter and urged unified action, saying now is no time for timidity in addressing crises no nation can solve alone. UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Edward Kallon highlighted UN achievements from smallpox eradication to peacekeeping and humanitarian reach, while warning that shrinking resources threaten services. He noted humanitarian appeals and assessed contributions are falling short, putting clinics, rations, education and protection for the most vulnerable at risk.Mr. Kallon showcased Zimbabwe as a model of UN partnership with 25 UN entities delivering more than half their programmes through joint programmes and joint initiatives, over USD 1.5 billion in combined contributions across four years, blended financing that helped unlock a US$100 million renewable energy fund, and a new cooperation framework (2027–2030) aligned with Zimbabwe’s Second National Development Strategy. He framed UN80 and the renewal agenda as a push for efficiency and joined‑up delivery, stressing that reform needs predictable political will and timely financing from Member States.Ambassador Per Lindgärde of Sweden described his country a staunch defender of multilateralism and human rights, invoking Sweden’s diplomatic heritage from Dag Hammarskjöld to current commitments on gender equality and the UN system. Warning that UN Charter principles — sovereign equality, peaceful dispute resolution, and the prohibition of force — are under strain, he urged states to uphold them.His Excellency Lindgärde advocated for a stronger, fairer Security Council with both new permanent and non‑permanent seats, including for African representation. He stressed defending international law and the Charter as pragmatic necessity for global security. On current crises, he urged robust support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, guaranteed humanitarian access in Gaza, and greater international focus on emergencies such as Sudan.He cited Sweden’s long‑term financial commitment in Zimbabwe — an average annual contribution around SEK 300 million (roughly USD 32 million) — as an example of bilateral support that strengthens UN efforts on the ground. Sweden’s work in Zimbabwe focuses on protecting democracy, human rights, gender equality and the rule of law; promoting inclusive economic development; and building environmental resilience to climate change, while seeking stronger links between development cooperation, the private sector and trade.Youth and disability inclusion brought personal urgency to the discussions. Ms. Pauline Mapfumo, a UNICEF UN Volunteer with the UNited 4 Youth Inclusion Programme, said young people must be partners in policy design, not passive recipients, and highlighted youth placements in UN agencies as turning energy into contributions in nutrition, community engagement and programme design. She called for mentorship and institutional spaces to scale youth engagement.Mr. Lordwin Rimire, speaking for young people with disabilities, acknowledged UN technical support and progress but stressed data underreporting, youth unemployment is estimated at about 37 percent, and people with disabilities face compounded barriers in education, transport and work. He demanded better disaggregated data, meaningful participation (“nothing about us without us”), accessibility built into infrastructure and services, and pathways to decent work via inclusive training and private sector engagement, arguing inclusion is dignity, efficiency and national development.Speakers repeatedly linked solidarity, national ownership, regional and global cooperation. The Government of Zimbabwe reaffirmed solidarity with peoples seeking self‑determination, including Palestine and Western Sahara, and opposed unilateral coercive measures Honourable Murwira reiterated Zimbabwe’s peacekeeping pedigree and announced the country’s candidature for a non‑permanent Security Council seat for 2027–2028, pledging to bring regional perspectives on conflict prevention, human security and inclusive recovery.Regional integration, South‑South and triangular cooperation, and scaling finance for development — including catalytic blended finance — featured across remarks. Mr. Kallon and Honourable Professor Dr. Murwira emphasized strong partnerships that create jobs, strengthen value chains and build resilience to climate shocks through green skills, energy access and water infrastructure.Mr. Kallon outlined timelines and institutional arrangements for the next Zimbabwe UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2027–2030): an eleven‑month participatory process, alignment with NDS II, a strengthened Joint Steering Committee co‑chaired by the Chief Secretary and the UN Resident Coordinator, and deliverables timed to early and mid‑2026 milestones. The framework aims to integrate national priorities with UN‑wide reforms like the Pact for the Future and UN2.0, prioritizing anticipatory action, crisis modifiers and financing that shifts from aid toward trade and investment.When formalities ended, Feli Nandi’s performance lifted the mood with diplomats, UN staff, civil society and young leaders filled the floor as the singer and her band performed a mix of soulful ballads and buoyant Afropop. The set underscored that multilateralism is lived in culture and community as much as in treaties and budgets, offering a visceral expression of the “Better Together” spirit.Harare’s UN80 commemoration combined praise for the Charter’s achievements with urgent calls to reform global financial institutions and the Security Council; expand and deliver climate finance and technology transfer; invest in inclusive digital governance; and ensure rights for women, youth and persons with disabilities backed by data, budgets and jobs.Speakers stressed that Zimbabwe views the UN as partner and instrument to realize Vision 2030 to become an upper‑middle‑income society and achieve the SDGs, requiring diplomacy to mobilize investment, market access and technology so policy delivers prosperity. UN leaders said the system’s survival depends on Member States funding it predictably and embracing reforms for efficiency and local empowerment. Young voices demanded that “Better Together” translate into real power and pathways, not tokenism.As delegates departed, the message was that the UN’s 80 years are a legacy of shared action and that the next chapters will be written by how well Member States, institutions and citizens translate rhetoric into stronger partnerships that protect dignity and expand opportunity — and by how culture and community keep those promises tied to everyday life.In Harare, that promise was renewed through policy pledges in the Government’s keynote, Sweden’s Ambassador remarks as special guest, UN speeches highlighting programmatic timelines in the UN Cooperation Framework roadmap, and the joyous rhythm of Feli Nandi’s music — for one day “Better Together” felt like a practical, celebratory commitment to keep working — and dancing — toward a fairer, more inclusive future.

In a high-level media encounter at Monomotapa Hotel, Government of Zimbabwe and UNFPA convened a diverse stakeholders and the media to commemorate World Population Day with the launch of the 2025 State of the World Population (SWOP) Report. The event not only reflected Zimbabwe's commitment to reproductive rights but also underscored global population dynamics and their implications for sustainable development.The Honourable Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. D.T. Mombeshora, opened the event with a resonant keynote address. He emphasized the nation's commitment to empowering young individuals and addressing reproductive health challenges. Speaking on this year's theme, "Empowering Young People to Create the Families They Want in a Fair and Hopeful World," Honourable Dr. Mombeshora highlighted the barriers and opportunities influencing reproductive choices across Zimbabwe. He stated, "This year's SWOP Report and the theme underscore a fundamental human right—the right of every individual to decide if, when, and how many children to have, free from coercion or constraint."Dr. Mombeshora also lauded home grown campaigns like the "Not in My Village" campaign, aimed at combating teenage pregnancies and harmful practices. He celebrated the decline in maternal mortality from 651 per 100,000 live births in 2015 to 212 today, marking progress in the nation’s health initiatives.Achieving equitable social and economic development requires a comprehensive approach—enhancing education, healthcare, nutrition, and family planning, while adopting sustainable models for natural resource management. The event recognized that the future of Zimbabwe’s development hinges on how wisely and inclusively the Government and stakeholders navigate the demographic changes. Young people, especially, are the catalysts for long-term prosperity. Well-educated, healthy youth with access to reproductive health and decent employment can drive economic transformation. Empowering them to make informed choices about their families and futures will serve as the cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s national development agenda.Mr. Edward Kallon, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, echoed sentiments on population and sustainable development. "The choices made today shape the futures of generations to come," Mr. Kallon asserted. The report projects global population reaching 8.2 billion by the end of 2025, presenting both advancements and challenges. The UN Resident Coordinator emphasized, "Investing in youth is not only a moral imperative but also essential for sustainable growth."Highlighting Zimbabwe's demographic shift, with 61% youth population, Mr. Kallon stressed strategic investments in health and education to harness this potential. He pointed out that Zimbabwe’s development hinges on navigating demographic changes wisely and inclusively.A central premise of the work of the United Nations is that the size, growth, age structure and rural-urban distribution of a country's population have a critical impact on its development prospects and on the living standards of the poor. Investing in people -- and empowering individual women and men with education, equal opportunities, and the means to determine the number, timing and spacing of their children -- create the conditions to break out of the poverty trap and increase levels of human development. Ms. Miranda Tabifor, UNFPA Representative, underscored the day’s significance and the UNFPA’s longstanding partnership with Zimbabwe. "Population is not just about numbers. It’s about people—their rights, choices, and opportunities," she said. Ms. Tabifor highlighted the report's call to go beyond numbers to address the policy and social conditions impacting reproductive agency.Ms. Tabifor reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to ending preventable maternal deaths, addressing unmet needs for family planning, and combating gender-based violence. Her call to the media emphasized their role in amplifying these messages to drive societal change.A population of 15 million is sustainable but whether Zimbabwe can become an equitable prosperous upper middle human development country by 2030 is dependent on the decisions and choices that Zimbabwe now makes with regards its growing young population. Emphasizing population issues as fundamentally about individuals’ rights to reproductive freedom and decision-making autonomy, Ms. Tessa Mattholie, Senior Health at the British Embassy in Harare, in a message she read on behalf of Dr. Jo Abbot, UK Development Director and Deputy Head of Mission said, "The real crisis is not one of population numbers, but of reproductive agency—the ability of individuals to make informed, autonomous decisions about whether, when, and with whom to have children."
Noting the importance of addressing barriers to reproductive health services to ensure equitable access and empower all individuals with reproductive agency, Ms. Mattholie said, "We must acknowledge that more needs to be done. Access to reproductive health services remains challenging for some key groups... Expanding access to these basic reproductive health services is essential to ensuring that reproductive agency is not just a principle, but a lived reality for all."The 2025 SWOP Report launch in Harare offered a platform for stakeholders to reaffirm Zimbabwe's and the global community's dedication to reproductive rights. With collaborative efforts from government, international partners, and civil society, the event championed a vision where every individual has the agency to create the life they aspire to, fostering a fairer, more hopeful future.In his global message on the day, Mr. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General aptly summed up the opportunities and challenges on World Population Day 2025: “On this World Population Day, we celebrate the potential and promise of the largest youth generation ever. Many young people today face economic uncertainty, gender inequality, health challenges, the climate crisis and conflict. Still, they are leading – with courage, conscience, and clarity. And they are calling for systems that uphold their rights and support their choices. Let us stand with young people and build a future where every person can shape their destiny in a world that is fair, peaceful, and full of hope.” Zimbabwe’s 2022 Census reveals that the youth population is vibrant but faces significant hurdles. Many young Zimbabweans expressed their hopes during last year’s "Pact of the Future" consultations—aspiring to access quality education, decent employment, and reproductive health services. Yet, concerns about unemployment, rising inequalities, and limited opportunities remain pressing. These voices remind us that investing in youth is not only a moral imperative but also essential for the country’s sustainable growth.Young people are the catalysts for long-term prosperity. Well-educated, healthy youth with access to reproductive health and decent employment can drive economic transformation. Empowering them to make informed choices about their families and futures will serve as the cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s national development agenda articulated under the national vision 2030 to become upper middle income country and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.