9- 10 August 2009: UNDP supports Ministry of Regional Integration and International Cooperation to define role, priorities and strategy 

The staff of the newly created Ministry of Regional Integration and International Cooperation held a two-day staff retreat from 9-10th August 2009 in Nyanga. The objective of the retreat was to discuss the role, priorities and strategic objectives of the Ministry in the context of Africa’s regional integration process and globalisation trends. The retreat was officially opened by Hon. Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga, Minister for Regional Integration and International Cooperation and addressed by UNDP Resident Representative, Dr. Agostinho Zacarias and World Bank Ag. Country Manager, N. Mungai Lenneiye. It was facilitated by the staff of the UNDP Country Office in Harare.

In her remarks, the Hon. Minister outlined the Vision and Mission of the new ministry which has an enormous challenge of mobilising resources for the economic recovery and national development. She noted that the Ministry has a crucial role to play in spearheading the re-engagement process with the donor community and the multi-lateral partners. Consequently, she noted that the staff of the Ministry must measure up to this task and contribute to the economic recovery. She thanked UNDP for the support rendered towards technical assistance and capacity building.

The UNDP Resident Representative, Agostinho Zacarias noted that the staff retreat was a rare opportunity for the Ministry to discuss issues of strategic importance to the core functions and mandate of the Ministry. The Resident Representative observed that, under the strategic leadership and guidance of this Ministry, the recently launched Government Development Forum would prove an effective instrument for Donor-Government coordination. He therefore hoped that the Ministry, in collaboration with other players in the Government, would work towards mainstreaming the Paris Principles and Accra Agenda for Action within the Zimbabwe aid architecture.

The UNDP Resident Representative pointed out that   “regional economic cooperation (RECS) arrangements have become key drivers for promotion of economic growth and sustainable development in Africa and hence the ministry has an arduous task of coordinating Zimbabwe’s   membership to SADC, ACP-EU and COMESA and to ensure that the country benefits from these arrangements.” He said that the  Ministry must be able to articulate the country’s position on Economic Partnership arrangement (EPAs) negotiations, the on –going WTO Doha Development Agenda and the proposed COMESA Customs Union which will  require investing in capable manpower and expertise, negotiation skills and build knowledge on the global economic trends. He pledged to capacitate the Ministry where possible to collectively partner in the fight against poverty and accelerate the attainment of Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

The World Bank Manager, Mungai Lenneiye encouraged the Ministry to familiarize itself with new and innovative ways of mobilising resources and ensuring that the aid delivered is effective and tailored to the national priorities. The retreat was facilitated by James Wakiaga, UNDP Senior Economist and Udo Etukudo, UNDP MDG Specialist, respectively.