President Mnangagwa arrived here yesterday for the 74th
session of the United Nations General Assembly, where topical issues that
include climate change, renewable energy and environmental sustainability will
be discussed.
He was met at John F Kennedy International Airport by
Zimbabwe Permanent Representative to the UN Dr Fredrick Shava, his deputy Mrs
Kumbirai Taremba and senior staff at the mission.
President Mnangagwa is accompanied by Finance and Economic
Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, Foreign Affairs and International
Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah
Moyo, Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet
(Presidential Communications) Mr George Charamba and senior Government
officials.
He is expected to deliver his address during the high-level
General Debate this week, where he will continue to push for the removal of
sanctions.
US-based December 12 Movement yesterday marched near the UN
Permanent Mission denouncing sanctions imposed by the US against Harare. It waved the Zimbabwean flag and placards urging Washington
to act.
Some of the placards read “War Against Zimbabwean people,”
“Lift Trump Sanctions off Zimbabwe,” “Lift US sanctions off Zimbabwe” and
“Zimbabwe will never be a colony again.”
The movement said it would not relent until the illegal
embargo had been removed.
The 39th Sadc Summit held in Tanzania last month resolved
to set aside October 25, 2019, as an anti-sanctions day and escalate the lobby
with the UN.
The General Assembly will bring together governments, the
private sector, civil society, local authorities and other international
organisations to develop ambitious solutions in six areas that include global
transition to renewable energy, sustainable and resilient infrastructures and
cities, sustainable agriculture, management of forests and oceans, resilience
and adaptation to climate impacts, and alignment of public and private finance
with a net-zero economy.
In his address to the nation before leaving for New York,
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe would also discuss issues surrounding
climate, as the country is still grappling with the effects of Cyclone Idai,
which affected the country, Mozambique and Malawi, and the effects of climate
change-induced drought.
“We thus have a direct interest in discussions and
decisions which the nations of the world take on this very matter, which blight
our prospects and retard the attainment of SDGs,” he said.
The issue will come under discussion tomorrow. In a recent statement preceding the annual global meeting,
UN secretary-general António Guterres encouraged world leaders to come up with
concrete plans to transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy
sources.
“I want to hear about how we are going to stop the increase
in emissions by 2020, and dramatically reduce emissions to reach net-zero emissions
by mid-century,” he said.
In recognition of the way young people are pushing for
international action to stop climate change, a Youth Climate Summit was
scheduled for yesterday.
The UN will host the first-ever high-level meeting on
universal health coverage, with the tagline “Moving Together to Build a
Healthier World”, which it says) will be the most significant political meeting
ever held on universal health coverage.
All countries have made a commitment to achieve universal
health coverage by 2030, which includes financial risk protection, high-quality
health care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable
essential medicines and vaccines. Sunday Mail
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