The UN in Zimbabwe

The UN in Zimbabwe is a long‑term development partner working with Government and stakeholders to support the country’s Vision 2030 and the SDGs. Under the Zimbabwe UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the UN Country Team commits to “transformative change in the quality of life for all people in Zimbabwe” by leveraging its technical expertise, convening power, and impartiality. The UN focuses on leaving no one behind, aligning closely with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 and 2, and organizing its support around people, planet, prosperity and peace with building and strengthening partnerships.

Milestones

Inclusive economic transformation

All people, especially those at risk of being left behind, benefit from inclusive and sustainable economic growth, improved macroeconomic stability, expanded fiscal space and increased access to decent work.

Strategic focus: Macroeconomic and fiscal policy; debt resolution and domestic resource mobilization; formalization and enterprise development; skills and productive employment; safe labour mobility; diaspora investment and remittances; regional trade; digital and financial inclusion; responsible extraction, beneficiation and value addition of critical energy-transition minerals.

Climate resilience, energy, food and natural resources

All people, especially those at risk of being left behind, are food and nutrition secure, climate resilient, benefit from sustainable energy and natural-resource management, and have stronger capacity to mitigate and respond to disasters.

Strategic focus: Climate-smart food systems; water and energy security; sustainable land and natural-resource management; renewable energy; early warning and anticipatory action; disaster risk reduction; shock-responsive social protection; climate and environmental finance; environmental and social safeguards for mineral development.

Human capital development

All people, especially those at risk of being left behind, benefit from integrated health, nutrition, education, skills and social-protection systems that deliver equitable, quality, inclusive and shock-responsive services.

Strategic focus: Primary health care and nutrition; education quality and school-to-work transitions; skills development; social protection; youth wellbeing; prevention and treatment of drug and substance abuse; road-traffic safety; accessible services; stronger data, financing and workforce systems.

Governance, human rights, rule of law and social cohesion

All people, especially those at risk of being left behind, benefit from effective, accountable, responsive, data-driven and devolved institutions, systems and services that uphold human rights, promote participation, adhere to the rule of law and foster social cohesion.

Strategic focus: Public-sector capability and accountability; devolution and local service delivery; access to justice; independent institutions; civic participation and social dialogue; civil registration and legal identity; well-governed human mobility; data, digital systems and evidence-based decision-making.

Gender equality and social inclusion

Women, girls, boys and all people at risk of being left behind are free from violence, participate actively and meaningfully in development processes, and enjoy equal rights and opportunities across economic, political and social life.

Strategic focus: Prevention of and response to violence and harmful practices; women’s leadership and decision-making; equal access to productive resources, finance and markets; disability inclusion; youth participation; removal of legal, institutional and social barriers to equality

Financing national development outcomes

The primary financing objective is to support Zimbabwe mobilize, align and use a wider range of resources for national development outcomes. UN programme funding is one contribution to this larger financing agenda, not the end goal. The United Nations supports analysis of the financing landscape, stronger domestic resource mobilization, access to climate and environmental finance, dialogue on debt and concessional financing, development of investable pipelines and the alignment of public, private, domestic and international flows with NDS2 and the SDGs.

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The Sustainable Development Goals in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is steadily advancing towards its vision of becoming an upper-middle-income society by 2030, guided by national strategies that are closely aligned with global and regional development agendas. The United Nations has walked this path alongside the country, supporting national priorities through coordinated, joined-up programmes that address food security, education, energy, jobs, digital connectivity and climate resilience. By localizing the SDGs across provinces and districts and strengthening national coordination and data systems, the partnership has turned ambition into tangible results for communities. Gains in health, food security and economic recovery signal that progress is real and momentum is building. With a continued focus on inclusion, innovation and leaving no one behind, the next phase of cooperation promises to deepen resilience, unlock opportunities for young people, and build a more prosperous and sustainable future for all Zimbabweans. The UN remains a committed partner in this journey — working together to translate stability into lasting transformation and hope into shared prosperity.