Zimbabwe and Iran have sealed a cultural cooperation agreement aimed at boosting artistic exchange, creative industry growth and people-to-people engagement between the two nations.
Speaking during a post cabinet briefing today, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Jenfan Muswere announced that Cabinet had approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Islamic Republic of Iran, formalising cooperation in the cultural and creative sectors.
“Cabinet approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Islamic Republic of Iran on Cooperation in Culture and Arts,” Muswere stated.
He explained that the agreement is aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries through structured collaboration in culture and artistic expression.
“The two countries will cooperate and develop relations in the field of culture and art,” Muswere noted.
According to the Minister, the Memorandum of Understanding provides a framework for practical cooperation that goes beyond diplomacy and focuses on people-to-people engagement.
“The Memorandum of Understanding seeks to encourage and develop cooperation through participation and strengthening the exchange of programmes, experiences, skills, techniques, information and publications,” Muswere said.
He added that the agreement also provides for institutional collaboration, allowing cultural experts and institutions from both countries to work together within their respective legal frameworks.
“The two parties will mutually support activities carried out by experts and cultural institutions of the parties, in line with the internal laws of the respective countries,” Muswere explained.
Muswere further highlighted that the cooperation is not limited to government institutions, but deliberately opens space for private sector involvement in cultural and creative industries.
“The Memorandum also encourages partnerships among the private sectors of the two countries,” he said.
The Minister noted that culture and arts remain a critical pillar of international cooperation, contributing to mutual understanding, preservation of heritage and the growth of creative economies.
“The agreement is expected to create opportunities for artists, cultural practitioners and institutions through exchanges, joint programmes and collaborative projects,”he said
Implementation of the agreement will be coordinated by the relevant ministries and institutions in both countries, with programmes and activities to be rolled out in accordance with agreed modalities.
The cultural cooperation agreement is expected to enhance Zimbabwe’s international cultural footprint while creating new platforms for artistic collaboration, knowledge exchange and private sector participation in the creative industries.
