By Archford Chirimudombo
Harare, (New Ziana) -The individual and collective efforts of foreign service officials should reflect ongoing diplomatic thrust of the country under the engagement and re-engagement drive, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Monday.
Speaking during a meeting with Zimbabwean ambassadors accredited to various countries at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC), he said international cooperation is key to further fast-track the development agenda as well as accelerate industrialisation and modernisation.
The envoys have been in Zimbabwe for strategic briefings designed to update them on recent economic, political, and social developments that the government is pursuing.
“Working in liaison with the relevant departments back home, you have a duty to advance our national development goals and transform the quality of life for every Zimbabwean. Our shared national vision, to become a prosperous and empowered upper-middle income society by 2030, remains the overarching guide to the development programmes and projects across government. To further fast-track our development agenda and accelerate industrialisation and modernisation, international cooperation is key. This entails enhancing our national capacity to innovate and develop our own institutions, so that we produce more quality products and services,” President Mnangagwa said.
He added that through the effective execution of embassies roles, Zimbabwe should benefit from technology transfer, scientific cooperation as well as specialist skills training, which are found in other jurisdictions.
He said women and youth entrepreneurs, farmers, manufacturers, miners, tourism operators, innovators and other producers should benefit from the work undertaken by the ambassadors.
President Mnangagwa also challenged the ambassadors to be principled and pragmatic, ensuring that the country’s foreign relations are fluid, responsive and forward looking.
“Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy to none. We can never be dependent on any single country or bloc. I count on you to give the necessary advice and analysis that will continuously sharpen our decisions and national positions on international developments as well as bilateral and multilateral agreements. In doing so, I urge you to always protect Zimbabwe’s national interests, defend the right to chart our own destiny and constructively engage other countries based on mutual respect, for win-win benefits,” he said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, was encouraged, together with other stakeholders, to finalise the review of the National Diaspora Policy while the ambassadors were urged to identify opportunities for Zimbabwean nationals to be appointed to serve in strategic positions in regional and international organisations.
As Southern Africa take its turn to host the African Union (AU) Mid-Year Coordination Meeting next year, President Mnangagwa expressed gratitude that the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) has rallied behind Zimbabwe’s bid, and urged the diplomatic missions to support the country’s efforts to secure the bid.
Every mission was urged to play its part and contribute to national undertaking within the United Nations (UN) Security Council through timely reporting and strategic engagement, as well as providing early warning to emerging threats to peace and security.
After the meeting, the ambassadors were expected to carry President Mnangagwa’s message to their respective stations, sharing Zimbabwe’s development story and highlighting progress achieved under the Second Republic.
President Mnangagwa also saw off newly appointed ambassadors, while those who have been reassigned will begin their new tours of duty.
New Ziana
