Kudakwashe Mugari in ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

ZIMBABWE will advance continental economic integration and sharpen its bid to represent Africa in the United Nations Security Council at the African Union Summit starting here tomorrow, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira has said.

This comes as President Mnangagwa arrived in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa last night, where he is expected to join his counterparts at the African Union’s 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government meeting tomorrow.

He was received at Bole International Airport by Prof Murwira, Zimbabwe Ambassador to Ethiopia Ms Sophia Nyamudeza, Zimbabwe Foreign Affairs and International Trade permanent secretary Albert Chibindi and Embassy staff.

The President is accompanied by Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya and Deputy Chief Secretary Mr George Charamba.

This year’s Summit is running under the theme “Assuring sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063”.

The annual AU Summit, held every February, is the continent’s premier diplomatic gathering and brings together Heads of State and Government to deliberate on Africa’s strategic priorities under the framework of Agenda 2063.

In an interview yesterday, Prof Murwira said President Mnangagwa’s attendance at the summit was both a constitutional obligation and a reflection of Zimbabwe’s firm commitment to Pan-Africanism.

“The African Union Summit always takes place in February; it is the biggest diplomatic event on the continent. His Excellency the President attends this summit because, first of all, constitutionally Section 12, Subsection 2 of our Constitution directs Zimbabwe to be Pan-African and to belong to Pan-African institutions and the African Union is the apex Pan-African institution,” he said.

Zimbabwe’s foreign policy, Prof Murwira said, was guided by the Africa-first principle, which placed continental solidarity and cooperation at the centre of diplomatic engagements.

“Zimbabwe has a policy of the Africa-first principle. Africa is where we are; Africa is ourselves and our neighbours, so we are meeting with ourselves,” the minister said.

This year’s summit will focus on water as a critical resource for sustainable development, an issue the minister described as central to Africa’s transformation agenda.

“The theme on water is life and water is a transboundary resource. For Africa to progress agriculturally, sanitationally and industrially, water has to be managed properly, especially in the face of climate change,” he said.

He said optimal management of resources — including water, minerals, human capital, science, technology, innovation and education — was fundamental to achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063, dubbed “The Africa We Want”.

“If Agenda 2063 has to be met, resources have to be managed optimally. Water, minerals, human resources, science, technology and innovation must be managed so that we can reach the Africa we want by 2063,” he said.

The minister underscored the importance of continental unity, noting that Africa’s progress hinges on collective action within a market of 1,4 billion people under the AU framework.

“Africa can only progress together when we are working together as a market of 1,4 billion people under the African Union,” he said.

He also highlighted Zimbabwe’s growing role within continental institutions, including its selection by the AU to represent Africa at the United Nations Security Council.

The President bids farewell to newly-appointed Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda before his departure

“As you know, Zimbabwe has been selected by the African Union to represent Africa at the United Nations Security Council. It is always important to be together, sharing notes and sharpening our bid to make sure that we are able to effectively represent Africa. We cannot represent people whose grievances and economic and social interests we do not know,” he said.

Zimbabwe is also set to host the Inter-African Trade Company, another Pan-African institution aimed at promoting intra-African trade and strengthening economic ties across the continent.

The minister said active participation in AU processes enables Zimbabwe to advance both national and continental interests while reinforcing Africa’s collective voice on the global stage.

“It is important that we interact within Africa to make sure that we advance Africa’s interests,” he said.

The summit is also expected to consolidate Africa’s position on key global issues while accelerating the implementation of Agenda 2063 and strengthening continental economic integration.