The United Nations has operated in Zimbabwe since 1980 at the invitation of the Government of Zimbabwe. The UN in Zimbabwe works to support the Government of Zimbabwe in strengthening national capacities and resiliency to achieve inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.
Led by the UN Resident Coordinator, United Nations Country Team (UNCT) is the highest-level inter-agency coordination and decision-making body in Zimbabwe.The UN in Zimbabwe comprises 25 entities which are signatory to the 2016-2021 Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Framework (ZUNDAF).
The ZUNDAF is the cornerstone of the UN system’s strategic programme framework to support the national development priorities and facilitate the achievement of the SDGs including promoting partnerships, human rights, and transforming lives.
Milestones
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Food and nutrition security key priority areas for the Government of Zimbabwe to achieve zero hunger (SDG2).The United Nations in Zimbabwe support targets households in rural and urban areas to have improved food and nutrition security and supports communities to cope with climate change and build resilience.
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Gender Equality Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution provides a strong legal framework for the promotion and attainment of gender equality and women’s empowerment. The UN support aims to address gender inequalities through ending violence against women and girls, women’s participation in decision making, and women’s economic empowerment, and mainstreaming gender in all other priority areas
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Fast-tracking efforts to end the AIDS epidemic in Zimbabwe is possible by working together. The UN works to foster innovation, secure sustainable financing, strengthen health systems and communities, as well as ensure commodity security, promote human rights and gender equality, and ensure access to HIV prevention and treatment services.
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Towards ending poverty and support value addition, the UN provides support to key institutions to formulate and implement socio-economic policies, strategies and programmes for improved livelihoods. In addition, the UN supports for an increased access to income and decent work opportunities in key value chains and economic sectors, particularly for young people and women.
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In pursuit of a new trajectory of accelerated and inclusive economic recovery, growth and wealth creation, the UN in Zimbabwe supports key public sector institutions mobilize, manage and account for resources effectively for quality service delivery. Increased citizen participation in democratic processes in line with the provisions of the Constitution and relevant international norms and standards. The UN also supports Government and its partners generate and utilize data for development.
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The UN supports Zimbabwe’s priority to ensure increased access to and utilisation of quality basic social services, supporting key institutions provide quality and equitable basic social services, and provision of improved access to and utilisation of social protection services to households living below the food poverty line.
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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.
